Rory McIlroy is relishing the chance to play the rest of his career unburdened after clinching the career Grand Slam - starting at this week’s US PGA Championship.
The Northern Irishman had completed three legs of the Grand Slam by July 2014, winning his fourth Major and second title at this event a month later.
But he would then have to wait nearly 11 years to taste glory again in one of golf’s big four, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in golf’s most exclusive club.
The reaction that followed – McIlroy dropping to the ground in sobs and then screaming into the air – is certain to become an iconic moment in golfing history and five weeks later, the 36-year-old admits he is still emotional.
“I've tried not to watch it a lot because I want to remember the feelings,” he said. “I've talked about this before but I think when I rewatch a lot of things back, I then just remember the visuals of the TV rather than what I was feeling and what I was seeing through my own eyes, so I haven't tried to watch it back too much.
“But anytime I have, I well up. I still feel like I want to cry.
“It was an involuntary... I've never felt a release like that before and I might never feel a release like that again. That could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing and it was a very cool moment.”
After that potential once-in-a-lifetime moment and inevitable release of pressure - the achievement of a lifelong dream at the 11th time of asking - McIlroy himself admits he is now “playing with house money”.
“I think everyone saw how hard having a North Star is and being able to get over the line,” he said ahead of the season’s second Major Championship.
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“If I can just try to get the best out of myself each and every week, I know what my abilities are, I know the golf that I can play. And if I keep turning up and just trying to do that each and every week, especially in these four big ones a year, I know that I'll have my chances.
“I've always said I'm never going to put a number on it. I've talked about trying to become the best European ever or the best international player ever or whatever that is. The numbers tell one story but that mightn't be the full story.
“I feel like I sort of burdened myself with the career Grand Slam stuff and I want to enjoy this. I want to enjoy what I've achieved and I want to enjoy the last decade or whatever of my career and I don't want to burden myself by numbers or statistics. I just want to go and try to play the best golf I can.
“I have achieved everything that I've wanted, I've done everything I've wanted to do in the game. I dreamed as a child of becoming the best player in the world and winning all the Majors. I've done that. Everything beyond this, for however long I decide to play the game competitively, is a bonus.
“I'm still going to set myself goals. I'm still going to try to achieve certain things. But I sit here knowing that that very well could be the highlight of my career.
“That's a very cool thing. I want to still create a lot of other highlights and high points, but I'm not sure if any other win will live up to what happened a few weeks ago.”
If there was anywhere you would back McIlroy to create another high point it would be this week’s venue of Quail Hollow Club, where he clinched his first PGA TOUR title 15 years ago, has won three times since and holds the course record of 61.
He also arrives in a rainy Charlotte with three PGA TOUR wins so far in a 2025 that will see him play an Open Championship on home soil at Royal Portrush and help Europe try to keep hold of the Ryder Cup in New York.
“It’s always nice to come back to Quail Hollow, for obvious reasons,” he said. “I have obviously great memories from this place. First win on the PGA TOUR 15 years ago. Winning last year, I probably played my best golf of the year last year here, especially at the weekend.
“I thought it was going to feel different just because it was a Major Championship and I got out on the golf course yesterday and it felt no different than last year at the Wells Fargo.
“The rough is maybe a little juicier. But fairways are still the same cut lines and same visuals. It doesn't feel that much different.
“I played the front nine yesterday. I'll play the back nine today. Yeah, it's not as if I don't know this place. I think it's a matter of just making sure that every part of the game feels in a good spot.
“Because we all know this golf course so well, it's not as if you're going to glean anything new from a strategy perspective. It's just a matter of stepping up and hitting the golf shots when the gun goes on Thursday."
He added: “It's been an amazing 2025. There's been a lot of great golf played but there's still a lot of golf left to play this year. I'm excited for the journey ahead. Looking forward to this week.
“Hopefully the weather clears up a little bit and the course can dry out a bit. Excited to tee it up in another PGA Championship and give myself another opportunity.”
