Rory McIlroy reveals what 2026 Masters victory taught him
Rory McIlroy reveals what 2026 Masters victory taught him
Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY Mon, April 13, 2026 at 3:18 PM UTC
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Rory McIlroy reveals what 2026 Masters victory taught him
AUGUSTA, GA – Rory McIlroy had oh-so-much to celebrate on the final day of the Masters.
Before we get to the golf, start with his waistline.
“It still fits,” McIlroy joked of his green jacket, the 38 Regular back on his shoulders after going back-to-back at Augusta National.
Give the tailor the night off. McIlroy looks a natural in that jacket.
You see, there’s a common misconception about being a repeat champion at the Masters. McIlroy won’t receive a second green jacket for winning in consecutive years.
As a repeat winner, you just slip back into the same green jacket that’s already yours.
The fit suits him.
Now, the question becomes: How many majors will he finish with?
“I don't want to put a number on it,” McIlroy said, “but I certainly don’t want to stop here.”
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No reason it should stop here.
This 12-under triumph felt like no fluke. Instead, consider it greatness and grit.
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McIlroy went a decade between winning his fourth and fifth major championships. He went 12 months between Nos. 5 and 6.
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He’s tied with Phil Mickelson, Nick Faldo and Lee Trevino at six majors. He’s not going to catch Jack Nicklaus. Tiger Woods, either, but he could catch or surpass other legends.
Arnold Palmer (seven majors) and Tom Watson (eight) are within reach. Gary Player (nine), too, if he pushes it.
McIlroy’s game is dialed in, but he’s never lacked for talent. This week, he looked relaxed and resolute. Not immune to pressure or an occasional bad hole, but experienced enough to overcome hiccups, rather than becoming unglued by them.
What Masters taught Rory McIlroy
Any number of talented players can win one major. Two, even.
To rack up as many as McIlroy has, you need some steeliness, too.
The Masters previously brought McIlroy so much heartache. He blew it here in 2011. Again, in 2018.
He loves this place, its history, its traditions, its Pantone 342. The fans love him back. They were chanting his name after he tapped in for victory. He finished each round atop the leaderboard.
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“This place feels like my home course,” McIlroy said.
Having to wait 17 years for his first Masters triumph taught McIlroy something.
“Just keep going,” he said. “Just keep your head down and keep going. If you put the (reps) in and work on the right things, eventually, it’ll come good for you.”
All of us would do well to remember that lesson.
Keep pushing.
After the breakthrough finally came for McIlroy, it came again a year later.
This tournament likes its veterans, as the only major that doesn’t shift venues.
Nicklaus won his final major at Augusta in 1986 at 46 years old, Tiger at 43.
By comparison, McIlroy is but a lad.
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The great ones like Rory. He’s one of them.
Fred Couples, a Masters winner who still plays here at 66 years old, picked Rory to win. Freddie, you ol’ Nostradamus.
McIlroy is chummy with Nicklaus, too. The Golden Bear’s advice to him this week: No bleeping double bogeys.
Whoops, McIlroy made one in Round 3, as the challengers closed the gap, and another double on No. 4 on Sunday — “I don’t make it easy,” he said — but he also made oh-so-many clutch birdies, including a pair of gutsy ones in Amen Corner to stitch up this victory.
McIlroy cemented his status as a career Grand Slam winner last year. This triumph elevates him to Masters royalty by becoming one of four players to go back-to-back.
If you want to put a number on him, go right ahead. But, Rory won’t help you along.
“I felt like the Grand Slam was the destination,” McIlroy said, “and I realized it wasn't. I'm on this journey to — I don't know (where).”
No need to force the answer to that question now. Instead, get this champion a beverage.
“I'll have a good time tonight,” McIlroy joked with reporters afterward, “and I'll probably have a sore head flying back to Florida tomorrow morning.”
A sore head, maybe, but also a jacket that still fits, a major championship that suddenly suits him, a career still in its prime, and a target that’s still in front of him.
Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: After Masters, Rory McIlroy not putting ceiling on major championships
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