The defending champion is ‘a lot more relaxed’ but ‘just as motivated’ this year after finally winning at Augusta

The defending champion is ‘a lot more relaxed’ but ‘just as motivated’ this year after finally winning at Augusta

Twelve months after the greatest moment of his career, Rory McIlroy returns to the Masters looking for a rare back-to-back win.

Rory McIlroy is much more relaxed than he was before earning his first Masters victory last year, but remains motivated for a 2026 title defense.

No longer like a man carrying a Ming vase across a slippery floor, the 2025 winner uses attack as the best form of defence

The defending Masters champion shares lead with Sam Burns after an opening 67 at Augusta, while Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau both struggled