Rory McIlroy takes in ANWA sporting his Masters green jacket
Rory McIlroy is back at Augusta National Golf Club for the first time as the defending Masters champion. On Saturday, sporting his green jacket and donning a white ANGC hat, McIlroy took some time to talk with Cara Banks during the NBC telecast of the Augusta National Women's Amateur. Moments prior, co-leader Asterisk Talley carded a quad 7 on the par-3 12th hole , a place that's ruined many a scorecard over the years.
"I think anything can happen on this golf course," he said. "Two par 5s coming up, 13 and 15, with the pin on the left at 16. The water's in play.
A lot can still happen, so obviously she needs to bounce back with a with a good hole in the 13, hopefully make a birdie. " Talley would in fact birdie the 13th hole. "It's certainly not over," McIlroy continued.
"I know that better than anyone around this place. " More: Inside the final round of Rory McIlroy's 2025 Masters victory (part 1) Before his comments about Talley, he talked about the week ahead, including an important tee time he has on Sunday. "I get to play golf here with my dad tomorrow, which will be a really cool experience for both of us," he said.
"I've watched the ANWA every year, obviously since it was started and it's always — I feel like it's a really cool kick off to to the entire week here at Augusta National and I wanted to to come out today and experience it for myself. " Arriving early allows McIlroy to ease into the week. "I think the first few days, it is all about enjoying, I don't want to say basking in, but enjoying what I did last year, enjoying the perks, being able to play with my dad tomorrow, being able to go to the dinner on Tuesday night.