McIlroy Sets Sights on New Challenges After Masters Victory

Following his successful title defense at The Masters, Rory McIlroy has reassessed his major goals, with his latest victory providing opportunities to create even more golfing history. Having completed the career Grand Slam at Augusta National last year, McIlroy became a back-to-back winner at The Masters with a thrilling one-shot victory over world No 1 Scottie Scheffler. This triumph leaves him alongside Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods as the only players to successfully defend at The Masters. McIlroy's latest success takes him to six majors, the same number Faldo managed during his career, with Trevino and Mickelson also on that total and tied-12th in the all-time list of victories. The Northern Irishman is now looking to pursue other golfing milestones, including becoming a double Grand Slam champion and surpassing Faldo as the most successful European golfer in the modern era. McIlroy has had seven top-10 finishes at the US Open since his maiden major title in 2011 and has impressed at each of the next two Open venues. With his latest victory, McIlroy is halfway to becoming a double Grand Slam champion, having also won the PGA Championship on two separate occasions. He has already won the DP World Tour's Order of Merit four years running and has more PGA Tour wins in history than any other European. McIlroy's next major target could be to win The Masters three years running, a feat that has not been achieved since Peter Thomson's run of winning The Open in 1954, 1955, and 1956. The PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open are still to come, with McIlroy now working towards new major targets. Should McIlroy add to his major tally at the PGA Championship next month, speculation over a possible Calendar Slam will gather more momentum. With his legacy in the Ryder Cup already confirmed, McIlroy is set for multiple more appearances in the years ahead and destined to be captain at some stage.