Major Difference For Rory McIlroy At PGA After Winning Masters

Rory McIlroy says winning the Masters to complete a long-sought career Grand Slam will change how he feels going into other majors, starting at next week's PGA Championship. World number two McIlroy defeated England's Justin Rose last month at Augusta National to capture his fifth major title, and first since 2014, to finally take the green jacket and complete the career Slam. The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland joined Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan with wins in all four major tournaments.

So when McIlroy tees off next week at Quail Hollow, a course where he has won four PGA Tour titles, it will be as a reigning major champion for the first time in 10 years.

"I'm obviously going to feel more comfortable and a lot less pressure, and I'm also going back to a venue that I love," McIlroy said. "It's nothing but positive vibes going in there next week with what happened a few weeks ago and then how well I've played at Quail.

"Yeah, it probably will feel a little bit different. I probably won't be quite as on edge as I've been the last few years when I've been at major championships. I'll probably be a little bit better to be around... I'll be a little more relaxed. I think overall it will be a good thing."

There will be fresh challenges.

World number one Scottie Scheffler, who won nine times last year, took his first title of 2025 at last week's CJ Cup Byron Nelson and tied a PGA Tour 72-hole record low of 253 strokes.

"Scottie won by a million last week and seems to be playing back to his best," McIlroy said.

"We'll see who is the best player at the PGA," Scheffler said. "Rory has been playing some tremendous golf this year.

"I feel like my game is trending in a good direction. I'm