CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rory McIlroy’s visceral reaction to winning the Masters last month to complete the rare career Grand Slam — falling to the 18th green at Augusta National on all fours and sobbing uncontrollably — may have been the most memorable moment from his historic victory.
The emotional release resonated with many golf fans who felt the weight of the pressure that was lifted from McIlroy that day, after nearly 11 years trying unsuccessfully to achieve the Slam.
“I’ve tried not to watch it a lot because I want to remember the feelings and … I think when I re-watch a lot of things back, I then just remember of the visuals of the TV rather than what I was feeling and what I was seeing through my own eyes,’’ McIlroy said on Wednesday in advance of Thursday’s first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. “So, I haven’t tried to watch it back too much. But anytime I have, I well up. I still feel like I want to cry.’’
McIlroy called his reaction “involuntary,’’ saying, “I’ve never felt a release like that before, and I might never feel a release like that again. That could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and it was a very cool moment.
“Look, I have achieved everything that I’ve wanted. I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do in the game. I dreamed as a child of becoming the best player in the world and winning all the majors. I’ve done that. Everything beyond this, for however long I decide to play the game competitively, is a bonus.’’
Many wonder what McIlroy might do from here, now that he’s reached this pinnacle, whether his hunger will remain the same.
“I feel like I sort of burdened myself with the career Grand Slam stuff, and I want to enjoy this,’’ he said. “I want to enjoy what I’ve achieved, and I want to enjoy the last decade or whatever of my career, and I don’t want to burden myself by numbers or statistics. I just want to go and try to play the best golf I can.’’
McIlroy said realizing his dream has been “everything I thought it would be,’’ adding, “The outpouring of support and congratulatory messages has been absolutely amazing. Everyone needs to have goals and dreams, and I’ve been able to do something that I dreamed of for a long time.
“I’m still going to set myself goals. I’m still going to try to achieve certain things. I want to still create a lot of other highlights and high points, but I’m not sure if any other win will live up to what happened a few weeks ago. I sit here knowing that that very well could be the highlight of my career.’’
McIlroy also addressed not speaking Bryson DeChambeau, his final-round playing partner that Sunday, something DeChambeau brought to light after the tournament was over.
“I don’t know what he was expecting,’’ McIlroy said. “We’re trying to win the Masters. I’m not going to try to be his best mate out there. Look, everyone approaches the game different ways. I was focused on myself and what I needed to do. That’s really all that it was.
“It wasn’t anything against him … it’s just I felt that’s what I needed to do to try to get the best out of myself that day.’’
McIlroy will play his first two rounds this week grouped with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending PGA champion Xander Schauffele. They tee off at 8:22 a.m. on Thursday and 1:47 p.m. Friday.