McIlroy Embarks on a New Era at The Masters: Can He Create More History?

Rory McIlroy's preparations for The Masters have been unlike any other, embracing a unique situation since making history in golf. McIlroy experimented with various build-up scenarios during his 17 previous appearances at Augusta National, eventually finding the winning formula to complete his childhood dream of achieving the career Grand Slam. Many have questioned whether McIlroy's major motivation would wane after realizing his dream, but he has welcomed every aspect of his title defense, arriving earlier than ever to support multiple events and prepare for another push for major glory. 'It has been a mix of business and pleasure,' McIlroy said. 'I've prepared, trying to do a lot of my work in the weeks leading up to the tournament, then made trips to prepare and get familiar with the course again.' McIlroy previously wondered if it would ever be his time to win The Masters, and now, having completed that task, he is determined to enjoy his week, focusing on playing good golf. The chance to host some of golf's all-time greats at the Champions Dinner was something McIlroy was always going to relish. 'It is not lost on me,' McIlroy insisted. 'All of us in that room were the envy of the sports world. Everyone else would love to be in that room, and I certainly don't ever want to take it for granted.' Even McIlroy himself believed that the Grand Slam was his end 'destination,' but he now enters his title defense with a different outlook. 'What motivates me? What gets me going? What do I still want to achieve in the game? I think that's the story,' McIlroy said. 'There's still a lot that I want to do. You think every time you achieve something or have success that you'll be happy, but then the goalposts move and they just keep nudging a little bit further and further out of reach.' McIlroy is aware of the fresh opportunities ahead to create further history, as a successful title defense would see him match Sir Nick Faldo's all-time major tally and become just the fourth player ever to win back-to-back editions of The Masters. 'I do feel like I've got another hopefully 10 good shots at this,' McIlroy claimed. Faldo himself believes McIlroy has to completely reset for the defense of his title. 'You can't roll off a log and do that [winning formula again]. He won on such emotion last year it's going to be starting again,' Faldo said. McIlroy has been handed an early-late start for the first two days alongside Players champion Cameron Young and US Amateur winner Mason Howell. He withdrew mid-tournament from the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month due to a lower back issue and then failed to mount a challenge a week later, ending 13 strokes behind Young at the PGA Tour's flagship event. Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley told Sky Sports, 'Look, he's McIlroy - you're never going to discount him, particularly around here [Augusta National], but I don't think he's primed to [win] and I don't fancy him as much as I did this time last year.' Sky Sports' Butch Harmon added, 'I think he comes in here a little more relaxed. He doesn't have the weight on his back that he has to win the Grand Slam.' Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald said, 'I always see Rory as someone that is very childlike. He likes to just go out there and has fun and that's when he's at his best.' A relaxed McIlroy said he comes into his latest major pursuit with 'a big weight off his shoulders.' He can now go out and enjoy this tournament - for the rest of his playing days - with the Grand Slam burden behind him.