Rory McIlroy, returning to motion for the primary time since efficiently defending the Masters, stated he’s “extra motivated than ever.”
The world No. 2 grew to become the fourth participant to win back-to-back Inexperienced Jackets, beating Scottie Scheffler at Augusta Nationwide final month.
Final 12 months, Northern Eire’s McIlroy grew to become the sixth participant to finish a profession Grand Slam along with his play-off victory over Justin Rose, however admitted the aftermath of his second win at Augusta “feels fairly completely different”.
“Even successful felt completely different,” McIlroy stated earlier than his return to the PGA Tour at this week’s Vacationer Championship.
“Properly, I’ve talked about this loads, however I felt like successful a Grand Slam could be life-changing, and in some methods it was, however in different methods, I needed to remind myself that, no, I nonetheless have lots of profession left and I wish to hold taking part in and hold competing.
“So I feel this 12 months was a validation of all of the exhausting work we have put in over the previous few years to get again to this place successful majors.”
Final 12 months, McIlroy suffered a post-Masters stoop and missed the US PGA Championship and US Open, however he did end within the high 10 in entrance of a crowd at his house British Open at Royal Portrush.
He then gained his second title on the Irish Open and performed a key function in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory over the US in New York.
And he stated he’s “excited concerning the highway forward” as he hopes so as to add to his file of six main wins, having loved much less of the “rushed” post-Masters celebrations this time round.
“I am enthusiastic about this week and looking out ahead to Aronimink (USPGA Championship), Shinnecock (U.S. Open) and Birkdale (Open) subsequent week,” he added.
“If something, I really feel like I’m extra motivated than ever after what occurred at Augusta this 12 months.”
McIlroy, who turned 37 earlier this week, begins his bid for a fifth profession win at Quail Hole on Thursday at 16:33 BST.
He gained his first PGA Tour title on the North Carolina venue in 2010, and added wins in 2015, 2021 and 2024, earlier than dropping in a playoff to Rickie Fowler in 2012.
“I really feel like I am getting extra out of this golf event in a way than giving again,” he stated.
“As a result of we now have unbelievable help each time we come right here. It isn’t simply me, I feel each participant on this discipline feels the identical method.”
“The ambiance of this event is what units it other than different excursions. So, it is superb how the neighborhood has rallied behind this occasion.”
“It is good to return again to the identical place after so a few years and see some acquainted faces, so yeah, like I stated, it is all the time good to return again right here.”
