For all of Rory McIlroy’s success over the past 10-plus years ― a combined 26 victories on the PGA and DP World Tours ― it was a lost decade in the major championships for the man who is hottest player in the world heading into this week’s Masters Tournament, the first major of the year.
Since he won four majors by age 25, there have been no more for the player who was known as the Boy Wonder during his major run from 2011-14.
Since his victory at the 2014 PGA Championship, he’s 0-for-38 in major starts.
During that span, McIlroy posted 21 top-10 finishes. In his words, McIlroy has had his “heart broken” a number of times in majors, especially in the 2022 British Open and last year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst.
At 35 years old, the world’s No. 2-ranked player went over the $100 million mark in PGA Tour career earnings a week ago, but he’s still motivated to add to his two PGA Championships, U.S. Open and Open Championship titles.
That self-belief is the reason why McIlroy knows every word of the 1981 song "Don’t Stop Believin’" by Journey.
It goes on and on and on and on
It's been said before: This could be the year McIlroy’s breaks through again in the majors.
Perhaps this week at Augusta National Golf Club. The other major sites this year are at Quail Hollow for May’s PGA Championship, Oakmont for June’s U.S. Open and Royal Portrush in July in McIlroy’s native Northern Ireland.
Regardless of his result in Augusta, McIlroy will be no doubt looking forward to the PGA in Charlotte, where he has won the PGA Tour stop there four times, including last year.
He’s won twice in five PGA Tour starts this year, something he’s never done before heading into the Masters. He won a signature event at Pebble Beach and also the prestigious Players Championship. Last week in Houston, he tied for fifth thanks to weekend rounds of 65-64.
Technically, he says he’s a more complete player and his motivation is off the charts, starting with a dedicated offseason of work with an eye on ending his major drought.
