Rory McIlroy won the Masters. It is an unbelievable sentence. The golfing world is still astounded that we have said it out loud in consecutive years now.
Sports news
#debate #Rory #McIlroys #Masters #prep #silly #worth #time">The debate about Rory McIlroy’s Masters prep is silly and not worth your time
Rory McIlroy won the Masters. It is an unbelievable sentence. The golfing world is still astounded that we have said it out loud in consecutive years now.
A popular take in the aftermath of the 90th edition of the Masters (this most recent one) is that Rory would not have been able to win it without first capturing the 89th. The experience from winning at Augusta clearly mattered to Rory, but so did the psychological freedom that came from finally ridding himself of the burden associated with doing so.
Rory spoke openly all last week about how he was more comfortable on the grounds at Augusta National than he ever had been. Following Saturday’s round specifically where he lost the 6-shot lead he began the day with, he noted that he would remember on Sunday that he was a Masters Champion. His point, not to speak for him, was that he would walk with confidence in knowing he had already climbed the mountain ahead of him.
He also knew the terrain very well.
The debate around Rory’s Masters prep is absurd
It is well understood that there are scores of traditions associated with the Masters. One of the more notables here is that the tournament is played at Augusta National on an annual basis.
Rory, who last played competitively before Augusta at Bay Hill where he withdrew, winning the tournament for a second straight year has seemingly taken things even more mainstream than they have been becoming as of late. Golf is having a a boom and more people are learning of specifics involved with it.
It is for these reasons that what he said on Sunday evening after defending his title that has the rest of the world acting silly.
McIlroy noted that he prepared quite diligently for the Masters. At one point throughout the weekend he even noted that there were instances where he would drop his daughter off at school, make it to Augusta for a round, and be back home in the same day.
For some reason… the idea that Rory prepared for the Masters by practicing on the grounds has become a flashpoint for people.
Part of the issue here is likely the lore associated with the Masters. It seems people (incorrectly) assumed that Rory had some special privilege as a previous winner. That is not the case.
Anyone involved in the Masters had the ability to practice on the grounds as much as he did. This was noted in detail by a post from Michael Kim on X (shout out to him for some much-needed context).
We can (hopefully) put to bed the idea that Rory had some inside track that his competitors did not. It is obviously true that he was not in Houston or San Antonio participating in the PGA Tour events that led up to the Masters the way that others were, but that is all a part of his own schedule and preparations as all players are able to adjust to their own rhythms.
What’s more is even if we step past the fact that no rules were broken and no lines were crossed… is it not awesome that Rory put so much time and effort into winning the Masters?
As noted the event has reached a level of fanfare that is only superseded by the Super Bowl now. It is an epic thing. Beyond epic. We revere it in such esteem for reasons that we all share or are unique to us individually, but we all recognize that it is something beyond the normal realm in sports or life at large.
Rory treated it that way. And he did so after already taming it. He gave the event its proper respect and his entire self in the name of tasting the sweetness that he so clearly did not want to ever let go of. That is so cool.
So often in sports things are disillusioned by the realities of life. Sports are a profession for so many and the level of care is not the same between athletes and fans. That isn’t to blame anyone at all, but that is just the way it goes.
Rory approached the Masters the way we as fans do. He obsessed over it the way that people who apply for the lottery every year do, or the people who filmed merch haul videos do, or the way that anyone who has their own “Masters” around the same time of year with their local golfing group does. He was one of us out there.
Do not let anyone convince you that this is a thing. It is silly. At absolute best.
Rory McIlroy won the Masters. It is an unbelievable sentence. The golfing world is still astounded that we have said it out loud in consecutive years now.
A popular take in the aftermath of the 90th edition of the Masters (this most recent one) is that Rory would not have been able to win it without first capturing the 89th. The experience from winning at Augusta clearly mattered to Rory, but so did the psychological freedom that came from finally ridding himself of the burden associated with doing so.
Rory spoke openly all last week about how he was more comfortable on the grounds at Augusta National than he ever had been. Following Saturday’s round specifically where he lost the 6-shot lead he began the day with, he noted that he would remember on Sunday that he was a Masters Champion. His point, not to speak for him, was that he would walk with confidence in knowing he had already climbed the mountain ahead of him.
He also knew the terrain very well.
The debate around Rory’s Masters prep is absurd
It is well understood that there are scores of traditions associated with the Masters. One of the more notables here is that the tournament is played at Augusta National on an annual basis.
Rory, who last played competitively before Augusta at Bay Hill where he withdrew, winning the tournament for a second straight year has seemingly taken things even more mainstream than they have been becoming as of late. Golf is having a a boom and more people are learning of specifics involved with it.
It is for these reasons that what he said on Sunday evening after defending his title that has the rest of the world acting silly.
McIlroy noted that he prepared quite diligently for the Masters. At one point throughout the weekend he even noted that there were instances where he would drop his daughter off at school, make it to Augusta for a round, and be back home in the same day.
For some reason… the idea that Rory prepared for the Masters by practicing on the grounds has become a flashpoint for people.
Part of the issue here is likely the lore associated with the Masters. It seems people (incorrectly) assumed that Rory had some special privilege as a previous winner. That is not the case.
Anyone involved in the Masters had the ability to practice on the grounds as much as he did. This was noted in detail by a post from Michael Kim on X (shout out to him for some much-needed context).
We can (hopefully) put to bed the idea that Rory had some inside track that his competitors did not. It is obviously true that he was not in Houston or San Antonio participating in the PGA Tour events that led up to the Masters the way that others were, but that is all a part of his own schedule and preparations as all players are able to adjust to their own rhythms.
What’s more is even if we step past the fact that no rules were broken and no lines were crossed… is it not awesome that Rory put so much time and effort into winning the Masters?
As noted the event has reached a level of fanfare that is only superseded by the Super Bowl now. It is an epic thing. Beyond epic. We revere it in such esteem for reasons that we all share or are unique to us individually, but we all recognize that it is something beyond the normal realm in sports or life at large.
Rory treated it that way. And he did so after already taming it. He gave the event its proper respect and his entire self in the name of tasting the sweetness that he so clearly did not want to ever let go of. That is so cool.
So often in sports things are disillusioned by the realities of life. Sports are a profession for so many and the level of care is not the same between athletes and fans. That isn’t to blame anyone at all, but that is just the way it goes.
Rory approached the Masters the way we as fans do. He obsessed over it the way that people who apply for the lottery every year do, or the people who filmed merch haul videos do, or the way that anyone who has their own “Masters” around the same time of year with their local golfing group does. He was one of us out there.
Do not let anyone convince you that this is a thing. It is silly. At absolute best.
Rory McIlroy won the Masters. It is an unbelievable sentence. The golfing world is still astounded that we have said it out loud in consecutive years now.
A popular take in the aftermath of the 90th edition of the Masters (this most recent one) is that Rory would not have been able to win it without first capturing the 89th. The experience from winning at Augusta clearly mattered to Rory, but so did the psychological freedom that came from finally ridding himself of the burden associated with doing so.
Rory spoke openly all last week about how he was more comfortable on the grounds at Augusta National than he ever had been. Following Saturday’s round specifically where he lost the 6-shot lead he began the day with, he noted that he would remember on Sunday that he was a Masters Champion. His point, not to speak for him, was that he would walk with confidence in knowing he had already climbed the mountain ahead of him.
He also knew the terrain very well.
The debate around Rory’s Masters prep is absurd
It is well understood that there are scores of traditions associated with the Masters. One of the more notables here is that the tournament is played at Augusta National on an annual basis.
Rory, who last played competitively before Augusta at Bay Hill where he withdrew, winning the tournament for a second straight year has seemingly taken things even more mainstream than they have been becoming as of late. Golf is having a a boom and more people are learning of specifics involved with it.
It is for these reasons that what he said on Sunday evening after defending his title that has the rest of the world acting silly.
McIlroy noted that he prepared quite diligently for the Masters. At one point throughout the weekend he even noted that there were instances where he would drop his daughter off at school, make it to Augusta for a round, and be back home in the same day.
For some reason… the idea that Rory prepared for the Masters by practicing on the grounds has become a flashpoint for people.
Part of the issue here is likely the lore associated with the Masters. It seems people (incorrectly) assumed that Rory had some special privilege as a previous winner. That is not the case.
Anyone involved in the Masters had the ability to practice on the grounds as much as he did. This was noted in detail by a post from Michael Kim on X (shout out to him for some much-needed context).
We can (hopefully) put to bed the idea that Rory had some inside track that his competitors did not. It is obviously true that he was not in Houston or San Antonio participating in the PGA Tour events that led up to the Masters the way that others were, but that is all a part of his own schedule and preparations as all players are able to adjust to their own rhythms.
What’s more is even if we step past the fact that no rules were broken and no lines were crossed… is it not awesome that Rory put so much time and effort into winning the Masters?
As noted the event has reached a level of fanfare that is only superseded by the Super Bowl now. It is an epic thing. Beyond epic. We revere it in such esteem for reasons that we all share or are unique to us individually, but we all recognize that it is something beyond the normal realm in sports or life at large.
Rory treated it that way. And he did so after already taming it. He gave the event its proper respect and his entire self in the name of tasting the sweetness that he so clearly did not want to ever let go of. That is so cool.
So often in sports things are disillusioned by the realities of life. Sports are a profession for so many and the level of care is not the same between athletes and fans. That isn’t to blame anyone at all, but that is just the way it goes.
Rory approached the Masters the way we as fans do. He obsessed over it the way that people who apply for the lottery every year do, or the people who filmed merch haul videos do, or the way that anyone who has their own “Masters” around the same time of year with their local golfing group does. He was one of us out there.
Do not let anyone convince you that this is a thing. It is silly. At absolute best.
Rory McIlroy won the Masters. It is an unbelievable sentence. The golfing world is still…
Sports news
#Rory #McIlroys #Masters #win #establishes #year #repeat #major #champion">Rory McIlroy’s Masters win establishes another year with a repeat major champion
Rory McIlroy won the Masters on Sunday. On some level it all is rather not surprising given the events of the last year and change. On another level it is completely shocking given that the golf world very recently wondered if he would ever secure a green jacket and he now has two.
Much has rightfully been made about how Rory is the first repeat winner at Augusta since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002. McIlroy is just the fourth ever to repeat at the tournament of all tournaments (Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo). It is a historic landmark to say the least.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 12: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland holds the trophy wearing his Green Jacket at the presentation after the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) Getty Images
Interestingly, this gives us another two-year run where a major champion is repeated across the landscape of men’s golf as Rory won a major in 2025 and now has taken home the first one in 2026. Obviously in this case they were the same tournament.
This unique run has happened a few times in recent history.
Scottie Scheffler from 2024 to 2025
PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 20: Scottie Scheffler of the United States poses with the Claret Jug on the 18th green after winning The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 20, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) Getty Images
To be perfectly clear we began 2026 with this particular happening taking place this past year.
Scottie Scheffler won the Masters for a second time himself in 2024 (2022), and in 2025 he famously won both the PGA Championship and Open Championship. I had a bit of a choice when it came to photos to use, didn’t I?
This marked the first time in a handful of years that a single player won a major in consecutive seasons.
Collin Morikawa from 2020 to 2021
SANDWICH, ENGLAND – JULY 18: Open Champion, Collin Morikawa of United States poses with the Claret Jug on the 18th hole during Day Four of The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 18, 2021 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/R&A/R&A via Getty Images) R&A via Getty Images
Prior to Scottie last year the most recent instance of a player winning major titles in consecutive seasons was Collin Morikawa. It is impossible to forget how Morikawa stormed to victory during the PGA Championship at Harding Park in 2020, and a year later he himself took home the Claret Jug.
Brooks Koepka from 2017 through 2019
FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK – MAY 19: Brooks Koepka of the United States poses with the Wanamaker Trophy during the Trophy Presentation Ceremony after winning the final round of the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course on May 19, 2019 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) Getty Images
This is when things were particularly impressive.
Brooks Koepka not only won majors in consecutive seasons, but he won them in three straight. Koepka took home the U.S. Open in 2018, both the PGA Championship and U.S. Open in 2018, and then the PGA Championship once more in 2019 (he would go on to win the PGA again in 2023 obviously).
At the time of the 2019 PGA Championship win, Brooks was the defending champion twice over at both the PGA and U.S. Open. Obviously that would only last a little while before Gary Woodland won the U.S. Open in 2019 at Pebble Beach.
Rory McIlroy from 2011 to 2012
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC – AUGUST 12: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland holds up the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the 94th PGA Championship at the Ocean Course on August 12, 2012 in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) Getty Images
While there were a pair of years where players won multiple majors in the same year in the run-up to Brooks (Jordan Spieth in 2015 and Rory McIlroy in 2014), Brooks obviously did it himself in 2018 as noted, prior to the run just mentioned the two-year stretch where a player won a major in consecutive seasons was Rory once more. Quite the full circle here.
McIlroy’s first major championship came at the U.S. Open in 2011 and then he won the PGA Championship for the first time in 2012. He would win the event in again in 2014, after winning the Open Championship, and set up the drought that was broken last year which started this whole discussion and the Career Grand Slam opportunity that he finally met.
Who will be the next player to win majors in consecutive seasons? At the moment only Scottie Scheffler and J.J. Spaun (who won last year’s U.S. Open) are eligible to do it. Scottie can obviously win one for the third year in a row.
Rory will be again next year as well. Recent history shows it would be silly to bet against him.
Rory McIlroy won the Masters on Sunday. On some level it all is rather not surprising given the events of the last year and change. On another level it is completely shocking given that the golf world very recently wondered if he would ever secure a green jacket and he now has two.
Much has rightfully been made about how Rory is the first repeat winner at Augusta since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002. McIlroy is just the fourth ever to repeat at the tournament of all tournaments (Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo). It is a historic landmark to say the least.
Interestingly, this gives us another two-year run where a major champion is repeated across the landscape of men’s golf as Rory won a major in 2025 and now has taken home the first one in 2026. Obviously in this case they were the same tournament.
This unique run has happened a few times in recent history.
Scottie Scheffler from 2024 to 2025
To be perfectly clear we began 2026 with this particular happening taking place this past year.
Scottie Scheffler won the Masters for a second time himself in 2024 (2022), and in 2025 he famously won both the PGA Championship and Open Championship. I had a bit of a choice when it came to photos to use, didn’t I?
This marked the first time in a handful of years that a single player won a major in consecutive seasons.
Collin Morikawa from 2020 to 2021
Prior to Scottie last year the most recent instance of a player winning major titles in consecutive seasons was Collin Morikawa. It is impossible to forget how Morikawa stormed to victory during the PGA Championship at Harding Park in 2020, and a year later he himself took home the Claret Jug.
Brooks Koepka from 2017 through 2019
This is when things were particularly impressive.
Brooks Koepka not only won majors in consecutive seasons, but he won them in three straight. Koepka took home the U.S. Open in 2018, both the PGA Championship and U.S. Open in 2018, and then the PGA Championship once more in 2019 (he would go on to win the PGA again in 2023 obviously).
At the time of the 2019 PGA Championship win, Brooks was the defending champion twice over at both the PGA and U.S. Open. Obviously that would only last a little while before Gary Woodland won the U.S. Open in 2019 at Pebble Beach.
Rory McIlroy from 2011 to 2012
While there were a pair of years where players won multiple majors in the same year in the run-up to Brooks (Jordan Spieth in 2015 and Rory McIlroy in 2014), Brooks obviously did it himself in 2018 as noted, prior to the run just mentioned the two-year stretch where a player won a major in consecutive seasons was Rory once more. Quite the full circle here.
McIlroy’s first major championship came at the U.S. Open in 2011 and then he won the PGA Championship for the first time in 2012. He would win the event in again in 2014, after winning the Open Championship, and set up the drought that was broken last year which started this whole discussion and the Career Grand Slam opportunity that he finally met.
Who will be the next player to win majors in consecutive seasons? At the moment only Scottie Scheffler and J.J. Spaun (who won last year’s U.S. Open) are eligible to do it. Scottie can obviously win one for the third year in a row.
Rory will be again next year as well. Recent history shows it would be silly to bet against him.
Rory McIlroy won the Masters on Sunday. On some level it all is rather not surprising given the events of the last year and change. On another level it is completely shocking given that the golf world very recently wondered if he would ever secure a green jacket and he now has two.
Much has rightfully been made about how Rory is the first repeat winner at Augusta since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002. McIlroy is just the fourth ever to repeat at the tournament of all tournaments (Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo). It is a historic landmark to say the least.
Interestingly, this gives us another two-year run where a major champion is repeated across the landscape of men’s golf as Rory won a major in 2025 and now has taken home the first one in 2026. Obviously in this case they were the same tournament.
This unique run has happened a few times in recent history.
Scottie Scheffler from 2024 to 2025
To be perfectly clear we began 2026 with this particular happening taking place this past year.
Scottie Scheffler won the Masters for a second time himself in 2024 (2022), and in 2025 he famously won both the PGA Championship and Open Championship. I had a bit of a choice when it came to photos to use, didn’t I?
This marked the first time in a handful of years that a single player won a major in consecutive seasons.
Collin Morikawa from 2020 to 2021
Prior to Scottie last year the most recent instance of a player winning major titles in consecutive seasons was Collin Morikawa. It is impossible to forget how Morikawa stormed to victory during the PGA Championship at Harding Park in 2020, and a year later he himself took home the Claret Jug.
Brooks Koepka from 2017 through 2019
This is when things were particularly impressive.
Brooks Koepka not only won majors in consecutive seasons, but he won them in three straight. Koepka took home the U.S. Open in 2018, both the PGA Championship and U.S. Open in 2018, and then the PGA Championship once more in 2019 (he would go on to win the PGA again in 2023 obviously).
At the time of the 2019 PGA Championship win, Brooks was the defending champion twice over at both the PGA and U.S. Open. Obviously that would only last a little while before Gary Woodland won the U.S. Open in 2019 at Pebble Beach.
Rory McIlroy from 2011 to 2012
While there were a pair of years where players won multiple majors in the same year in the run-up to Brooks (Jordan Spieth in 2015 and Rory McIlroy in 2014), Brooks obviously did it himself in 2018 as noted, prior to the run just mentioned the two-year stretch where a player won a major in consecutive seasons was Rory once more. Quite the full circle here.
McIlroy’s first major championship came at the U.S. Open in 2011 and then he won the PGA Championship for the first time in 2012. He would win the event in again in 2014, after winning the Open Championship, and set up the drought that was broken last year which started this whole discussion and the Career Grand Slam opportunity that he finally met.
Who will be the next player to win majors in consecutive seasons? At the moment only Scottie Scheffler and J.J. Spaun (who won last year’s U.S. Open) are eligible to do it. Scottie can obviously win one for the third year in a row.
Rory will be again next year as well. Recent history shows it would be silly to bet against him.
Rory McIlroy won the Masters on Sunday. On some level it all is rather not…
