Rory McIlroy Forces Masters Misery to the Back of His Mind; ‘Liking the Challenge’ Despite Constant Setbacks, Says Golfer

In the past few days, Rory McIlroy has made headlines for two reasons: First his dismal run at the Masters and his rumored deal of joining LIV Golf (which has been proven false by the pro himself). However, the former of the two has once again left the four-time major winner one step away from completing his career grand slam. In his two-decade-long career, McIlroy has never won a single Masters.

The lack of the green jacket in his portfolio must be disheartening and, at times, may put immense pressure on the Northern Irishman. However, despite his form being ordinary as of late, McIlroy still hasn’t given up hope and is determined to get better at his game.

Rory McIlroy shares what’s making him love golf these days 

After finishing T22nd at the Masters with a total of four over par, Rory McIlroy did not waste a moment and joined the small field of 69 players at the Harbour Town Golf Links course for his fifth start on the PGA Tour. As the 24-time PGA Tour winner said at Masters, how he is loving golf at the moment.

Compared to his opening round at Augusta National, the 24-time PGA Tour winner has played a bit better at the RBC Heritage. McIlroy, paired with Ludvig Aberg, shot a round of 4 under 67 with three birdies, one eagle, and one bogey at Hilton Head Island. The 4-time major winner after round one is T10 on the leaderboard. There are a lot of things that can make one fall in love with the game of golf and for McIlroy, overcoming his on-course challenges is exactly what the 24-PGA Tour-time winner loves about the sport, as he iterated, “I think the challenge more than anything else.”

However, the Irish pro doesn’t feel that he has yet reached his full potential. Talking about conquering the challenges, McIlroy expressed, “Don’t feel like I’m quite on top of my game. But I’m determined to sort of get on top of it. Yeah, I’m liking the challenge at the minute and liking trying to figure it out.”

Till now, McIlroy has struggled many times at the PGA Tour events. In the seven he has played, the Irish golfer had only one top-10 finish, a solo three, which was at the Valero Texas Open. However, except that McIlroy has not capitalized on his game as he’d wished but with the ongoing struggles, McIlroy has found the weak link that might be the villain of his story.

What’s lacking in Rory McIlroy’s game? 

The day McIlroy started the 2024 PGA Tour season, he was coming off a fresh victory at the Dubai Desert Classic. The Irish pro defended his title successfully. The four-time major winner was expected to carry the same form into the American circuit. However, his appearance at the PGA Tour this season paints a rather gloomy picture, as McIlroy is yet to win a title this season on the Tour.

What has been missing from his usual extraordinary gameplay? McIlroy says it was his iron play behind all the troubles. He elaborated on his game and said, “I think just the iron play. I’m hitting the ball pretty good off the tee. Look, I see signs that the iron play is getting a little bit better, but it’s just not” quite there.

McIlroy then compared himself to Aberg and explained that he’d like to have as much control over his game as the Swedish pro. McIlroy said, “I just need to get a little bit more in control, and if I do that, then I’m going to be a bit more sure of myself and make more committed swings. At the minute, it’s just — it’s a process, but I’m working at it.”

Will the work put in by Rory McIlroy eventually succeed in earning another accolade on the PGA Tour? It shall remain to be seen.