Rory McIlroy exclusive interview: 'I needed to reset mentally and physically after 10 years'

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the second tee during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 2
Rory McIlroy believes success at the Masters is about 'just playing golf and not making it out to be more than golf' Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

How to make it seem a normal week when you know the achievement would be abnormal? Rory McIlroy will try to master the Augusta trick once again as, for the fourth year in a row, the prospect of joining an immortal quintet lures him towards the Butler Cabin.

Intriguingly, only Gene Sarazen completed his career Grand Slam at Augusta National. That was in 1935 when the Masters was only in its second year. The “majors” were still to be defined as such; as they were yet to be in 1951 when the Masters became the third of the big four on Ben Hogan’s resume. Otherwise, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player won their second majors at Augusta and Tiger Woods his first.

Could this make it more difficult? McIlroy...

To continue reading this article

Start a 30-day free trial for unlimited access to Premium articles

  • Unlimited access to Premium articles 
  • Subscriber-only events and experiences
  • Cancel any time

Free for 30 days

then only £2 per week

Save 25% with an annual subscription

Just £75 per year

 

Register for free and access one Premium article per week