Rory McIlroy makes ‘reluctant’ confession after thrilling Masters win

Before adding a green jacket to his wardrobe in April, Rory McIlroy was under the impression he’d sport the coveted piece at every opportunity if he ever won the Masters.

Now four months removed from his triumphant playoff victory at Augusta National, the Northern Irishman revealed Tuesday ahead of the Tour Championship that he’s “reluctant to wear” the iconic jacket.

“It’s not as if I wear it a lot. I have it hanging in my wardrobe in a place where I can see it every day. I always thought if I had one — if I did win the Masters one day — I’d never have the thing off, and it hasn’t been that way. I haven’t worn it as much as I thought I would,” McIlroy said, according to the Associated Press.

McIlroy, 36, had not won a major in 11 years before the April victory at Augusta National, where he edged out Englishman Justin Rose in a one-hole playoff.

Moments after collapsing onto the course in jubilation, 2024 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler presented McIlroy with the jacket he had been chasing to complete the sport’s Grand Slam.

“There were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders,’’ McIlroy said after the final round. “I certainly didn’t make it easy. I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on the golf course.”

McIlroy sent the tournament into a playoff following a missed putt on the par-4 18th before redeeming himself with a birdie in extra time.

He finished the weekend at 11-under par.

“A lot of pent-up emotion that just came out on that 18 green,’’ McIlroy said. “A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it. It’s nearly 11 years — not just about winning my next major, but the career Grand Slam, trying to join a group of five players to do it, you know, watching a lot of my peers get green jackets in the process.”

With the victory, McIlroy joined the elite group of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen who have won all four majors, which include The British Open, the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open.

Although the 2026 Masters is still some time away, McIlroy is looking forward to defending his title with the green jacket in tow.

“It’ll be lovely to next time go there and go up to the champions locker room and put on my green jacket and feel like I belong,” he said.

But first, McIlroy will tee it up at the Tour Championship, which began Thursday at East Lake Golf Course in Atlanta.

The winner will receive $10 million.