Rory McIlroy has been waiting a long time for his first Masters. That taught him something. Now he’s a repeat champion.
Rory McIlroy shares life lessons at Masters
Rory shares the life lessons of the Masters, how his patience and tenacity at Augusta goes beyond golf.
Masters/Courtesy of Augusta National
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Rory McIlroy had a lot to celebrate on the final day of the Masters.
Before we get into the golf, let’s start with his waistline.
“I’m still fit,” McIlroy joked after back-to-back matches at Augusta National, about the green jacket he wore with No. 38 on his back.
Give the tailor a night off. McIlroy looks natural in that jacket.
There’s a common misconception about winning back-to-back Masters titles. McIlroy will not receive a second green jacket even if he wins back-to-back titles.
If you win repeatedly, you simply return to the same green jacket that is already yours.
The fit suits him.
The question is, how many years will he finish in the majors?
“I don’t want to put a number on it, but I don’t want to end up here,” McIlroy said.
There’s no reason to stop here.
This 12-under victory didn’t feel like a fluke. Instead, think of it as greatness and grit.
Rory McIlroy wins 6th major, Arnold Palmer within range
A decade elapsed between McIlroy’s fourth major championship win and his fifth. He spent 12 months between fifth and sixth place.
He is tied with Phil Mickelson, Nick Faldo and Lee Trivino for six majors. He’s not going to get Jack Nicklaus. Like Tiger Woods, he has the potential to catch up to or surpass other legends.
Arnold Palmer (7 major wins) and Tom Watson (8 wins) are also within range. Same goes for Gary Player (9) if he tries hard.
McIlroy’s game is gifted, but by no means lacking in talent. This week he looked relaxed yet determined. Although I’m not immune to pressure and the occasional nasty hole, I’ve had enough experience to overcome the hiccups without getting bogged down by them.
What the Masters taught Rory McIlroy
Any number of talented players can win a major. Two, even.
To put up as much as McIlroy does requires some steeliness as well.
The Masters had previously caused McIlroy a lot of heartache. He found success here in 2011. It was successful again in 2018.
He loves this place, its history, its traditions and Pantone 342. Fans continue to love him too. They were chanting his name after he won. He finished each round at the top of the leaderboard.
“This feels like my home course,” McIlroy said.
Having to wait 17 years for his first Masters victory taught McIlroy something.
“Just keep going,” he said. “Just keep your head down and keep going. If you push (your reps) and do the right things, you’ll get good results in the end.”
We would all do well to remember that lesson.
Keep pressing.
After McIlroy finally had a breakthrough, another came a year later.
This tournament favors veterans as it is the only major that does not change locations.
Nicklaus won his last major at Augusta in 1986 at age 46 and Tiger at age 43.
McIlroy is still just a young boy in comparison.
Rory McIlroy is one of the great players after defending his green jacket.
Great people like Rory. He is one of them.
Masters winner Fred Couples, who is still playing here at age 66, chose Rory as the winner. Freddy, you are Nostradamus.
McIlroy is also good friends with Nicklaus. This week’s advice from Mr. Kanekuma is “No”. beeping Double bogey.
Oh, and McIlroy made one in the third round and another double on No. 4 on Sunday as his challengers closed the gap — “It’s not going to be easy,” he said — but he also made quite a few clutch birdies, including two gutsy ones to wrap up this win at Amen Corner.
McIlroy solidified his status as a career Grand Slam winner last year. With this victory, he was promoted to the Masters Royal, becoming one of only four players to make consecutive appearances.
If you want to give him a number, do it now. But Rory won’t help.
“I felt like the Grand Slam was the destination, but I realized it wasn’t. I’m on this journey — I don’t know (where),” McIlroy said.
There is no need to force yourself to answer that question now. Give this champion a drink instead.
“We’re going to have a good time tonight,” McIlroy joked to reporters afterward, adding, “I’m going to have a headache when I get back to Florida tomorrow morning.”
A jacket that still fits, maybe not just a headache, a major championship that suddenly looks good on him, a career still in its prime, and goals still in front of him.
Blake Topmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow at X @btoppmeyer.
