McIlroy reflects: “I don't think I'll have to ever play a harder round of golf in my life”
Rory McIlroy believes coming through the toughest round of his life to win the Masters will give him the confidence to achieve more moments of golfing glory.
After becoming just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam at Augusta National 11 days ago, the Holywood star joins Shane Lowry for their defence of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, convinced that he can hit the shots when it matters most.
"I'm eager to get back out there," said McIlroy, who explained that he took calls from two presidents and travelled to London to see progress on the home he is building at Wentworth before heading home to celebrate with his parents, caddie, coach, and other close friends.
"This is the perfect atmosphere to do it in. That's part of the reason why I honoured the commitment to be here because it's a fun event.
"To be out there, with Shane… It's a perfect tournament to come back to; good positive vibes from last year.”
McIlroy feels his Masters success has made him stronger, showing he can overcome immense pressure and still pull off the shots.
“I don't know if it gives me more confidence,” he said. “I've always been very confident in my abilities as a golfer. I do think that the whole day on Sunday at Augusta, I don't think I'll have to ever play a harder round of golf in my life.
“I certainly don't want to be placed back on that 15th tee box on that Sunday afternoon. So I think to be able to get through that and produce the shots when I needed to, that obviously gives me confidence, and I can always draw back on that experience.”
Lowry closed with a final round 81 to finish 42nd at Augusta National and admitted he only had eyes for the leaderboard and McIlroy’s victory quest as he came down the back nine.
“Honestly, it was one of the weirdest days ever for me because you're out there trying to win the Masters yourself, but then when one of your close friends does it, you have no choice but to be happy for him because it is a great occasion,” Lowry said.“I think it's a great occasion for golf, for everybody in golf.
“At the end of the day, it's history. Sixth person ever to do the Grand Slam is no joke. Obviously, Jordan (Spieth) has a chance to do it in a couple of weeks.
"But will it ever be done again? Who knows. It's a pretty tough thing to do, and Rory has found that out over the last 15 years.”
Lowry joked that McIlroy does not have to worry about career goals now.
— “Who cares anymore?” he quipped.
— “I care,” McIlroy interjected.
— “He can take it easy for a while.”
McIlroy believes last year’s win with Lowry was a watershed moment.
"I could not be in a better place in my life, professionally, personally," McIlroy said. "It's amazing what a year can do.
"This tournament last year was a cool moment for us. It probably injected a bit of joy back into golf for me, which I think is important not to lose that.
"I had a great year last year; this tournament was the catalyst to the good golf I played for the rest of the year."
On the DP World Tour, Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell will be looking to build on Sunday’s 15th place finish in the Volvo China Open in the Hainan Classic at Mission Hills Resort.
Sara Byrne, meanwhile, returns to action on the Epson Tour in the IOA Championship in California.
