Rory McIlroy returned to home soil today at the Amgen Irish Open, joining broadcaster Shane O’Donoghue on stage in the Championship village to reflect on the crowning moment of his career — winning the Masters earlier this year — and to look ahead to the challenges still to come.
With three major trophies beside him and the Masters Green Jacket on his shoulders , he admitted to being in a happy place.
He spoke candidly about the emotional release of sinking the winning putt at Augusta in a dramatic playoff against Justin Rose, describing it as “all of my dreams coming true.” He revealed how, in the moments after his triumph, he screamed with joy while kneeling on the green, before embracing his caddie and lifelong friend Harry Diamond.
“To do that with Harry beside me, having known him since I was seven years old, was incredibly special,” McIlroy said. “I’ll never forget those moments on the 18th green.”
The conversation turned to memories of McIlroy’s debut at the Irish Open in 2005 as a 16-year-old at Carton House, and to his breakthrough victory at the K Club in 2016 — a win he admitted meant more to his mother than his Masters triumph. “That was the only one she ever wanted to see me win,” he smiled.
Now 36, McIlroy acknowledged the balance between enjoying a career-defining season and setting new targets. He confirmed that defending his Masters title is high on his list, alongside two other ambitions he set earlier this year: winning an Olympic gold medal and helping Europe claim a rare away victory in the Ryder Cup.
“The last five Ryder Cups have all gone to the home team,” he said. “It’s one of the hardest things to do in our game, and to be part of the first side to break that streak would be very special.”
”A double Grand Slam would be nice as well,
Looking ahead to the remainder of this week’s Irish Open, McIlroy assessed his opening round of one-under-par as better than the score suggested. “I hit it well off the tee, probably the best I’ve driven it in months. A sloppy finish cost me, but if I can shoot something in the 60s tomorrow, I’ll be right there going into the weekend.”
Before leaving the stage, McIlroy sent an inspiring message to young golfers in the crowd, reflecting on the 17 years it took him to fulfil his dream of winning at Augusta.
“I came from Hollywood, County Down, a town of 12,000 people, playing an average little golf course. But I always believed. I never let anyone tell me I wasn’t good enough. That’s half the battle — never give up, keep dreaming, and keep believing.”
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