Lapping up the pomp as Masters champion is what each golfers needs, however it additionally comes with extra interviews, extra shows and – probably – extra distractions.
Spain’s Jon Rahm completed tied forty fifth on his return after successful in 2023, later admitting he struggled to “modify” with the calls for of “so much happening”.
“When you’ve received the Masters, particularly for Rory, it truly is a dream come true. So that you’re comfortable to return there and I do not assume the extra commitments are ever a distraction,” mentioned Brown.
“Rory has accomplished every thing he got down to do in his profession, however there are at all times extra targets. Now he needs to defend it.
“As knowledgeable sportsman, you are at all times striving for the following win. What can I enhance to take me to the following stage?
“Golf’s notably troublesome as a result of one week you are a champion, the following minute you are a hen. You possibly can’t take your foot off the fuel.”
McIlroy’s kind going into the season-opening main offers little indication about his probabilities.
Three top-10 finishes in his opening 4 occasions of 2026 bode effectively, earlier than a again harm pressured his withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational and left him “nonetheless not 100%” on the PGA Tour’s flagship Gamers Championship three weeks in the past.
He says not enjoying competitively since has supplied a “good alternative to deal with the difficulty” earlier than Augusta – which is notoriously bodily taxing.
Due to this fact, it appears the extra pertinent think about McIlroy’s hopes this week is the belief he has gained in his tactical capability.
“Augusta through the years has made me fairly tentative at instances, particularly with strategy play,” McIlroy mentioned.
“By changing into a greater putter, by engaged on my brief recreation and changing into higher across the greens, that most likely allowed me to turn out to be extra aggressive with my strategy play.
“I feel that is been an enormous a part of the explanation why I’ve now ultimately received there, however why my play has acquired higher there through the years.”
McIlroy feels the Masters is the most important the place he might probably finish his profession with essentially the most success.
Changing into a a number of champion this week, and a uncommon back-to-back winner, could be one other {golfing} mountain which he has managed to scale.
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