How elite athletes such as Rory McIlroy are learning to keep calm in clutch moments
With his parents, Rosie and Gerry, standing behind the 18th green, Rory McIlroy became the fourth golfer to reclaim the Masters title. Last Sunday, the career Grand Slam winner joined an exclusive list alongside Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods in going back-to-back at Augusta. He led by a record six shots after two rounds, but in typical McIlroy fashion, he was determined not to do it the easy way.
Some bumpier moments — not as many as in 2025 — came over the weekend, but McIlroy stay
With his parents, Rosie and Gerry, standing behind the 18th green , Rory McIlroy became the fourth golfer to reclaim the Masters title. Last Sunday, the career Grand Slam winner joined an exclusive list alongside Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods in going back-to-back at Augusta. He led by a record six shots after two rounds, but in typical McIlroy fashion, he was determined not to do it the easy way.
Some bumpier moments — not as many as in 2025 — came over the weekend, but McIlroy stayed the course to finish 12 under par, one stroke better than two-time champion Scottie Scheffler. On the 72nd hole, McIlroy, whose driving accuracy had been poor by his high standards throughout the tournament, found the trees on the 18th hole. The spike in his heart rate proved he was feeling the pressure.
From data released by Whoop — the wearable technology company that McIlroy is an investor in and whose green band he was wearing on his right wrist throughout the tournament — the 36-year-old’s heart rate rose to 135 beats per minute (BPM). As he walked to locate his ball for his second shot, McIlroy brought his heart rate down to 121 BPM. The shot from closer to the 10th fairway found a bunker and led to McIlroy’s heart rate spiking to 136 BPM as he chipped out onto the green.
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