Rory McIlroy makes obvious statement about his Masters, major championship process

Rory McIlroy won the Masters on Sunday, marking his second consecutive title. From 17 years without a win at Augusta National to the fourth-ever back-to-back champion, McIlroy is in an elite circle. But he knows that he hasn’t made these massive wins easy on himself or those supporting him. 

"I don't make it easy. I used to make it easy."

Rory McIlroy knows winning is hard, especially at Augusta National. pic.twitter.com/IkfR3iKN6Z

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) April 13, 2026

“Yeah, I don’t make it easy. I used to make it easy, back in my early 20s when I was winning these things by eight shots,” McIlroy said. He is referencing the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional, which he won by eight. “It’s hard to win golf tournaments, especially around here. Like, you know, you’ve had a couple of runaway winners over the years, but it always seems to be a very tight finish at this golf course.”

He then relayed a story from after his sensational Friday round, where he took a six-shot lead. “I walked into dining…and I sat with Shane [Lowry] and Tyrell [Hatton], and they were both saying ‘geez, when we finished, we were 1 or 2 behind, now all of a sudden we’re 7 behind.’ And I said, ‘Boys, there’s a long way to go.'”

McIlroy proved there was a long way to go, shooting one-over 73 on Saturday to lose his six-shot lead. Then, he was down two to Cam Young after a double bogey on 4 on Sunday. But as the rollercoaster of a Masters Sunday went along, McIlroy stayed steady. Finally, he joined the roller coaster on 18, flailing a drive right before making the bogey to win the tournament.

McIlroy’s early career was defined by triumphant wins at soft golf courses in major championships. When set-ups got harder, he would not compete. The 2011 Masters, where he exploded on the back nine, is the prime example. But recently, he has become a great Augusta National player and has two Green Jackets to show for it. Even if he gives everyone a heart attack in the process.

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