Fresh cut, fresh perspective for Rory McIlroy who wants to further cement his legacy by winning more major championships at some of golf’s greatest venues after he found some clarity over his post-grand slam ambitions.
McIlroy suffered a dip in form after completing the career grand slam at the Masters in April. Despite registering two top-10 finishes in Signature Events, he missed the cut in Canada and put in two average performances at the US Open and PGA Championship.
The Holywood man looks to have aged more than his 36 years with his new haircut, but he admits he is a rejuvenated figure and has set his sights on winning Open Championships at Royal Portrush and St Andrews as well as US Open glory at Pebble Beach.
“I think I do feel a little clearer,” he said of his goals ahead of the Genesis Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club where he joins Pádraig Harrington for some pre-Portrush preparation.
“It’s amazing what ten days or two weeks of just a little bit of detachment can do for you, and sitting there being with your own thoughts for a while.
“Yeah, look, there’s other — I don’t want that (the Masters) to be my last great moment in the game.
“There’s plenty more that I can do. I feel like I’ve kept banging on this drum all of this year, I feel like I’m a better player now than I ever have been.
“And there’s so many opportunities that lie ahead and whether that’s Portrush next week or The Open going back to St Andrews or a US Open at Pebble Beach (both in 2027).
“There’s all these great venues that all the greats have won on, and I’d love to add my name to those lists, as well.”
McIlroy never really had time to process the magnitude of his achievement after becoming just the sixth man to complete the grand slam. A brief trip home to Holywood was all that he really had before arriving back into a hectic schedule.
Some time since the Travelers spent at his new Wentworth home in Surrey has allowed him to relax and re-evaluate his goals for the remainder of his career and after feeling flat post Augusta, McIlroy has found some energy and motivation which makes him all the more dangerous heading to Portrush next week.
“I think over these last couple of weeks, coming back over here, seeing people that I know that I haven’t seen since Augusta, having conversations about how people felt watching it and obviously rekindles how I felt playing,” he said.
“The last couple of weeks have been really nice. It’s been nice to get back over here. See some familiar faces.
“I feel like I didn’t give myself that time after Augusta. Bit of a whirlwind. I wanted to go home and see my mum and dad, then New Orleans, the media tour, all a bit of a whirlwind, and straight into the next major.
“It’s been nice to have these couple of weeks to reflect and as well as rekindle my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the year.
“Obviously we have this week in Scotland and massive week next week in Portrush. I’m excited for the rest of year.”
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