The quest for yet more majors
It is hard to equate this assured figure with the McIlroy who was so full of Augusta angst. Of course, crossing the Rubicon in 2025 is the main difference in this regard – “it meant as much but it didn’t,” he said – but there were also daily conversations with mind doctor Bob Rotella. And because of his peerless short game, it was the perfect mix when it came to the crunch and when he had to fend off Scheffler, who was 11-under for the weekend to McIlroy’s level par. “My short game and my putting, that’s what won me the tournament this week,” he said.
Where it takes him next will be fascinating. McIlroy requires the US Open and the Open for a second grand slam and only Nicklaus and Tiger Woods can boast that feat. McIlroy has proven to himself that he can fix his swing woes mid-tournament and going into the US PGA at Aronimink in four weeks’ time, he has the momentum. And even if Scheffler’s display was ominous, the motivation to return to world No 1 can help drive McIlroy forward. That, and the accumulation of more history.
“It’s funny, last year I felt like the career grand slam was the destination. Now I realise that it wasn’t. I’ve just won my sixth major and I’m on this journey. I still have goals to achieve, but most of all, I’m going to enjoy it.”
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