Rory McIlroy Ready to Take on Masters Despite Elbow Issues

Rory McIlroy is determined to block out the noise and win the Masters, despite past disappointments and pressure to complete the career Grand Slam.

Rory McIlroy is setting his sights on Masters glory, despite past disappointments at the iconic tournament. The Northern Irishman has experienced his fair share of heartbreak at Augusta, but he's willing to take the risk again in pursuit of the elusive Green Jacket.

“This year marks McIlroy's 11th shot at completing the career Grand Slam of golf's four majors,” he said.

McIlroy has previously employed a “self-preservation mechanism” to protect himself from the pain of disappointment. However, he's now ready to ditch this mindset and put himself out there, fully embracing the possibility of heartbreak in the process. By doing so, he's hoping to find true success and claim the Green Jacket.

“People, I think, instinctively as human beings we hold back sometimes because of the fear of getting hurt, whether that's a conscious decision or subconscious decision, and I think I was doing that on the golf course a little bit for a few years,” McIlroy told reporters.

“Once you go through those heartbreaks, as I call them, or disappointments, you get to a place where you remember how it feels and you wake up the next day and you're like, yeah, life goes on, it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

"With every other athlete, whether it be in the NBA, NFL, they're obligated to speak to you guys after a game. We're not."

Rory McIlroy on the ongoing debate about the media's access to golfers after finishing their rounds. pic.twitter.com/cRhArfg0pa

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 8, 2025

“You dust yourself off and you go again. I think that's why I've become a little more comfortable in laying everything out there and being somewhat vulnerable.”

Rory McIlroy is arriving at the Masters in top form, with two wins already under his belt in 2024. However, the buzz surrounding his potential to complete the career Grand Slam is growing louder. To avoid getting distracted by the narrative, McIlroy is focusing on treating the tournament like any other. “Just trying to block out that noise as much as possible,” he said. “I need to treat this tournament like all the other tournaments that I play throughout the year.”

Off the course, McIlroy has been finding ways to unwind and maintain his focus. He's been watching the Netflix series “Bridgerton” and reading a John Grisham novel. By keeping his downtime relaxed and engaging in activities he enjoys, McIlroy is working to stay grounded and avoid getting caught up in the pressure and expectations surrounding his Masters bid.

Rory McIlroy is well aware of the narrative surrounding his Masters bid, but he's determined to stay focused on his game. “I understand the narrative and the noise, and there's a lot of anticipation and buildup coming into this tournament each and every year, but I just have to keep my head down and focus on my job.” By maintaining his concentration, McIlroy aims to silence the external noise and achieve his goal.

For the 35-year-old McIlroy, the Masters holds special significance. Despite being a consistent presence on leaderboards, he hasn't won a major since 2014. The Masters represents a chance for McIlroy to break this drought and add another prestigious title to his collection. With his sights set on the Green Jacket, McIlroy is working to stay focused and overcome the challenges that come with competing at the highest level.

A beautiful look at Rory McIlroy's swing here in Augusta. pic.twitter.com/8WT0GomwaL

— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) April 8, 2025

Rory McIlroy has a storied history at the Masters, with seven top-10 finishes at Augusta National. Despite his impressive record, McIlroy has yet to claim a Green Jacket, a feat that has eluded him despite his consistent performances. In fact, only four players have more top-10 finishes without ever winning a Green Jacket -- Tom Kite (12 top 10s), Lloyd Mangrum (12), Greg Norman (9), and Gene Littler (8).

McIlroy's past experiences at the Masters have been marked by both triumph and heartbreak. He infamously squandered a four-shot lead in the final round of the 2011 Masters. However, he's now focused on putting those disappointments behind him and claiming his first Green Jacket. As he prepares for the tournament, McIlroy revealed that his right elbow had been bothering him, but he's since received treatment and is confident it's no longer an issue. “Elbow is good,” McIlroy said. “I got a little bit of treatment on it last week, and it's all good.”