Rory McIlroy's message to his caddie at last year's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am proved prescient as the Northern Irishman went on to enjoy arguably his greatest year of golf. The 36-year-old is back in action this week at Pebble Beach for his 2026 PGA Tour debut, hoping history repeats itself.
McIlroy grasped the importance of that moment immediately, having shared a pivotal exchange with long-time caddie Harry Diamond. 'I said to Harry walking up the last, start as you mean to go on,' McIlroy revealed. 'I'm just as determined this year as any of the years I've been out here on the PGA Tour.'
That victory ended a drought stretching back to the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship and sparked a remarkable run. He added a second win the following month at The Players Championship, then delivered his first elusive Masters title by defeating Justin Rose in a play-off, completing the Grand Slam. Later, he won the Amgen Irish Open and helped Europe win the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, finishing the year with a seventh Race to Dubai title.
Despite not having clinched a major since 2015, McIlroy remained confident approaching peak form. 'I feel like I controlled my ball flight well in the crosswinds this week,' he told Sky Sports. 'I drove the ball really well. I think I'll always nitpick, but that's just who I am.'
