Rory McIlroy has attributed his successful Masters defence to extensive preparation at Augusta National, following advice from Jack Nicklaus. The Northern Irishman, now a six-time major winner, spent weeks at the course rather than competing in PGA Tour events, despite a back injury disrupting his schedule.
McIlroy revealed he played the front nine in 29 strokes with a single ball during one practice round. He edged out Scottie Scheffler by one stroke to secure the victory. “I joked last week that this place feels like my home course,” McIlroy said. “I haven’t played anywhere else in the last two or three weeks really. I felt prepared in that way.”
The 36-year-old explained his preparation method was inspired by Nicklaus, who would simulate tournaments by playing one ball for four days before majors. “When I’ve talked to Jack Nicklaus over the years, how he prepared for majors, he would go the week before and he would simulate a tournament,” McIlroy said. “I did a little bit of that and I think that’s certainly a good way to prepare going into the next majors.”
McIlroy now plans to apply a similar approach at the remaining three major venues of 2026: Aronimink, Shinnecock Hills and Royal Birkdale. He believes completing the career grand slam at the 2025 Masters has lifted a burden. “I was glad last year that the whole grand slam thing was done, because that was what I was chasing,” he said. “Now going forward, everything is icing on the cake.”
Runner-up Scottie Scheffler expressed surprise at the course conditions during Friday’s round, when McIlroy birdied six of the last seven holes. “I was a bit surprised at how soft things were on Friday afternoon,” Scheffler said. “But the weather also changes and it was a bit windy on Thursday, so who knows. That’s part of the game.”
