Golfing superstar Rory McIlroy has made a startling admission, confessing that the coveted Masters green jacket he spent his entire career chasing has, at times, felt like a burden since his historic win seven months ago.
The Glorious Victory and the Global Tour
The Northern Irishman finally ended his career-long quest for a Masters title back in April, securing a stunning victory in a sudden-death play-off against his Ryder Cup teammate, Justin Rose. The emotionally charged scenes that followed saw McIlroy collapse to the ground before embracing his wife, Erica Stoll, their four-year-old daughter, Poppy, and his loyal caddie, Harry Diamond.
In the months following his triumph, McIlroy embarked on a global tour, making appearances in locations such as the Middle East, India, and his home country of Northern Ireland. A key feature of these events was the public's expectation to see the prestigious green jacket.
The Unexpected Chore of a Champion
However, the 36-year-old has now revealed that fulfilling this request became an unexpected chore. Speaking at the CNBC Council Forum, McIlroy stated, "I was in India a few weeks ago and I was in the Middle East the last two weeks, and most places you go, if you're doing events, the people want to see the green jacket."
He candidly added, "So you bring the green jacket with you, and sometimes, you don't want to wear it, you know. You don't want to. I sort of complained about wearing it in Abu Dhabi."
A Reality Check and a Turbulent Year
McIlroy soon had a moment of clarity, realising how absurd his complaints were given the lifetime of effort it took to earn the jacket. He shared a pivotal conversation with his wife, telling the forum, "I said to my wife, Erica, if you ever hear me complain about wearing this thing again, like punch me or do something, because I've waited my whole life to wear this, and I'm complaining about wearing it."
This revelation comes after a particularly turbulent period for the couple. The year 2024 was marked by a filed-then-rescinded divorce proposal, and the turmoil continued into 2025 during the Ryder Cup. Both McIlroy and Stoll were subjected to vitriolic abuse from spectators, with Stoll reportedly being struck by a drink and reduced to tears. Fans targeted their relationship with cruel taunts, including shouts about their divorce and McIlroy's ex-fiancée, Caroline Wozniacki.
Despite the off-course challenges and the surprising burden of his greatest prize, McIlroy's perspective has been reset. The green jacket remains the ultimate symbol of his sporting achievement, a hard-won treasure he now vows never to take for granted.
