The quest continues: McIlroy still chasing career Grand Slam

AUGUSTA, Ga.: Rory McIlroy was sounding like an old man.

He reminisced about his first Masters — just 13 years ago — like it was ancient history. He conceded that golf is no longer the be-all and end-all in his life. His voice rose with excitement as he talked of playing in the par-3 contest with young daughter Poppy in tow.

“It’s funny. When you don’t have children, the par-3 seems like a bit of an afterthought,” he mused. “Then, once kids arrive, it sort of becomes the highlight of the week in a way."

Should we book you a table for the early bird special, Mr. McIlroy?

Not so fast. Sure, he's no longer the youngest guy on the course, but at 32 he's far from the oldest.

“I still feel like time’s on my side,” McIlroy said Tuesday, snapping back to reality. “I’ve got a few more gray hairs than I used to, but I’m still young at heart.”

Yet, with each passing year, he seems a little further away from one of golf's greatest achievements, a capper to his career that once seemed as sure a thing as the azaleas blooming during Masters week.

McIlroy hasn't won a major championship in nearly eight years. More than a decade has passed since he threw away his best chance to win the Masters with a horrific back nine on Sunday.

A career Grand Slam?

That's no longer an obsession, not like it was for the cherub-faced, moppy-haired phenom from Holywood (Northern Ireland, that is), turning up for his first Masters at the age of 19.

“I would say less pressure,” McIlroy said. “I’m maybe at a different stage of my life where back then golf was everything. Obviously, look, it’s still very, very important, but maybe back then I would think that, I don't know, like I was unfulfilled if I didn’t win one.”

The Masters remains the only