Relaxed McIlroy finds new challenges after Masters win
Defending champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland high-fives spectators as he walks to the 10th tee at Augusta National during a practice round ahead of the 90th Masters (Hector Vivas) Putting on a green jacket has lifted an incredible weight off the shoulders of Rory McIlroy as the relaxed reigning Masters champion strolls around Augusta National. The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland completed a career Grand Slam by capturing the green jacket last year to end a 10-year major win drought and years of chasing a Masters crown. "It's so nice to walk around property or be out on the golf course and just not have that hanging over me," McIlroy said Tuesday.
"It feels that it's a big weight off my shoulders. " World number two McIlroy tries to join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the only back-to-back winners of the Masters with a victory this week. Turns out the end of his slam quest with a fifth career major title was only the beginning of a new story for McIlroy.
"I think the story as it relates to me is what do I do from now onwards? What motivates me? What gets me going?
What do I still want to achieve in the game? " McIlroy said. "There's still a lot that I want to do.
You think every time you achieve something or have success that you'll be happy, but then the goalposts move, and they just keep nudging a little bit further and further out of reach. "I think what I've realized is, if you can just really find enjoyment in the journey, that's the big thing because honestly I felt like the career Grand Slam was my destination, and I got there, and then I realized it wasn't the destination. " Of all the majors, McIlroy says his best chances to win more titles will come at Augusta National.