Rory McIlroy might be a two-time Masters champion with plenty of fond memories at Augusta National Golf Club. The legendary course still couldn’t crack his personal Mount Rushmore.
On the newest episode of their New Heights podcast (1:17:54 mark), Jason and Travis Kelce pressed the star to name his favorite courses. McIlroy listed off Kingston Heath Golf Club in Australia, Royal County Down Golf Club in Northern Ireland, Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey and Cypress Point Club in California.
The six-time major winner seemed to avoid the usual suspects.
Beyond omitting Augusta, he selected Royal County Down over the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Portrush or Muirfield in the United Kingdom. He picked Cypress Point instead of nearby Pebble Beach. Harbour Town, Muirfield Village, Riviera, Pinehurst No. 2, TPC Sawgrass and Oakmont all missed the cut among American venues, too.
A lot of casual golfers won’t get the opportunity to play the most prestigious courses around the world. But even those who frequent their local offerings are bound to develop affection or disdain for specific choices.
Given the lengths they go to protect the club’s image, Augusta National officials may nonetheless be perturbed it couldn’t crack McIlroy’s Mount Rushmore.