Rory McIlroy has revealed why he chose not to play in the Cadillac Championship at Donald Trump's Doral venue, a week after the US President invited him to compete. The Northern Irishman, fresh from his second consecutive Masters title, has prioritised the major championships over other events.
McIlroy became only the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters crowns, joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods. President Trump congratulated him, calling him a 'legend' and expressing anticipation for his appearance at Doral. However, the 36-year-old opted to rest after his April triumph.
Speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards, McIlroy said: 'I'm at a point in my career where I really have to target the bigger events, the four Major championships, the Ryder Cup.' He added that completing the career Grand Slam remains a highlight, but he still feels competitive and inspired by older athletes like Novak Djokovic and Tom Brady.
McIlroy also reflected on his 2025 Masters win, describing this year's victory as 'more real' and 'validation' after the emotional triumph the previous year. He continues to focus on adding to his major tally while taking a short break from competitive golf.
