Rory McIlroy's New Major Ambitions After Historic Masters Win

Following his successful title defence at The Masters, Rory McIlroy is setting his sights on new major targets. Having completed the career Grand Slam last year, McIlroy became the sixth male golfer in history to achieve this feat. His latest victory at The Masters has left him alongside Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods as the only players to successfully defend the title at Augusta National. McIlroy's win has also made him a six-time major champion, tying him with Faldo, Phil Mickelson, and Lee Trevino. The Northern Irishman's next goal could be to become a double Grand Slam champion, having already won the PGA Championship twice. With seven top-10 finishes at the US Open, including two runner-up finishes, McIlroy may also be looking to add to his major tally at the US Open. The 2027 US Open will be held at Pebble Beach in California, a venue where McIlroy started his PGA Tour season with a victory in 2025. McIlroy has also impressed at the next two Open venues, posting a top-four finish at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in 2017 and taking third at St Andrews' Old Course in 2022. Only Nicklaus and Woods have won all four majors on multiple occasions, and McIlroy is a long way from achieving this feat. However, a double Grand Slam is a potential target for the Northern Irishman. McIlroy's latest success takes him to six majors, the same number as Faldo, and one more major win would see him surpass Faldo as the most successful European golfer in the modern era. McIlroy is already Europe's greatest-ever golfer, given his career Grand Slam achievement, and any additional major wins would further cement his status as an all-time great. With the PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open still to come, McIlroy is working towards new major targets. Should he add to his major tally at the PGA Championship, speculation over a possible Calendar Slam will gather momentum. McIlroy will also play a crucial role in Team Europe's push for a third consecutive victory over the United States at the Ryder Cup next year. His legacy in the Ryder Cup is already confirmed, and he is set for multiple more appearances in the years ahead. Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes McIlroy's game will age well, and he will still be one of the biggest hitters in the game even when he loses some power with age. McIlroy's short game is also strong, making him a well-rounded player who can survive for six or seven years. The battle to be world No 1 is heating up, with McIlroy pulling closer to Scheffler after his latest victory. McIlroy has spent a combined 122 weeks at world No 1 across nine different stints in his career and is the only immediate threat to end Scheffler's three-year stay in top spot. Butch Harmon believes McIlroy is the best player in the world, and the Northern Irishman may be starting the second phase of his career. With the PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open still to come, McIlroy is working towards new major targets and has the opportunity to achieve them all.