Rory McIlroy 'much more relaxed' ahead of Masters after '25 win - ESPN

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Wearing a green jacket that has neither been dry cleaned nor tailored, Rory McIlroy stepped into the press conference room at Augusta National Tuesday, a Masters champion for an entire year now, without the burden of pressure and expectations that had become all too familiar.

«I feel so much more relaxed,» said McIlroy. «It doesn't make me any less motivated to go out there and play well and try to win the tournament, but yeah, just more relaxed about it all.»

With the Masters victory he coveted now secured and the historic grand slam a part of his legacy, a more comfortable McIlroy emerged, one that believes he can have more success going forward, especially at Augusta National.

«I know that I can do it now,» McIlroy said. «So that should make it a little easier for me to go out and play the golf I want to play.»

In the immediate, that looks like defending his Masters victory, which McIlroy said Tuesday may include being more aggressive off the tee this year. But when it comes to the long view on the rest of his career, McIlroy is optimistic that here, at the place where he came to dread the long wait to Thursday, will be where he has the best chance to add his major total.

«I think when you've had the experiences that I've had around here, good and bad, I think that can stand to you,» said McIlroy. «I feel like I'm still young, but I'm very experienced. This is my 18th start. I do feel like I've got another hopefully 10 good shots at this. Not that I don't at the other majors, but I just think that everything here is a little more predictable. I just think the more experience you have around this golf course, the better it is.»

Unlike other years where he has arrived on property well into the tournament