Patience, discipline and a new motivator help McIlroy notch the Career Grand Slam
Rory McIlroy’s journey to completing the career grand slam reached its pinnacle in dramatic fashion on Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club. The 35-year-old has been vying for this achievement for over ten years, ever since he won the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in 2014.
It was an unforgettable Sunday with a rollercoaster of a leaderboard throughout the day. In typical Masters fashion, the back nine provided intense drama leading up to McIlroy’s historic victory over Justin Rose.
McIlroy’s story is one of perseverance. His talent and ability to win The Masters have always been evident, but he had to overcome significant mental challenges. The pressure he felt over the years continued to build as his drought in majors lasted over a decade.
Rory started his career with dominance winning the U.S. Open at Congressional in 2011, just one year after his first PGA Tour victory. He went on to win the 2012 PGA Championship and added two more majors in 2014, winning the Open Championship and PGA Championship. Despite his impressive play, his streak of majors dried up.
Based on year-end official world golf rankings, he hasn’t been ranked outside of the top 10 in the world since he turned pro in 2008, an amazing feat that cements his status as an all-time great. However, every year since 2014, the storyline of McIlroy’s chance to complete the career grand slam at Augusta became more prevalent. The weight began to feel insurmountable, even for Rory, who admitted, ‘At times, I didn’t know if I’d ever sport a green jacket.’
It took a new motivator to elevate his game: Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler’s dominance over the last three years forced the world’s best, including McIlroy, to redouble their efforts. After winning the Players Championship, McIlroy hinted that he could win even when not at his best because he was more of a complete player than ever before.
A significant factor in this equation, besides putting and shaping shots off the tee, has been his improved mental game. This was crucial in getting it done at The Masters and completing the career grand slam.
McIlroy’s victory is a testament not only to his perseverance but also to Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters. The Masters requires its champions to play a complete game, both physically and mentally, to win the green jacket. The course’s design, strategy, and beauty were on full display last week.
For McIlroy, the hard work and dedication have paid off and the weight lifted may serve as a springboard into more major championships in 2025 and beyond.