Rory McIlroy says he feels "so much more relaxed" as he prepares for his first US Masters title defence.
McIlroy won the 2025 US Masters in the most dramatic way imaginable to conquer a lifelong ambition and complete the career Grand Slam, and it has been suggested that on the back of that, a more freed-up McIlroy could play more pressure-free and go on to win more.
Asked about how different this year feels without the same pressure that plagued him for more than a decade, McIlroy said: "Firstly I would never have got here this early. I would have never arrived on Saturday. I'd usually arrive the earliest Sunday night but usually Monday. But for the past 17 years I could not wait for the tournament to start, and this year I wouldn't care if the tournament never started.
"It's completely different. I feel so much more relaxed. I know that I'm going to be coming back here for a lot of years, I'm going to enjoy the perks the champions get here, but that doesn't make me any less motivated to try and win the tournament."
Prior to his post-tournament press conference after his 2025 Masters win, McIlroy started with a question of his own, asking "What are we going to talk about next year?" though the Northern Irishman retains a desire to keep competing.
Admitting he struggled for motivation somewhat after completing the career Grand Slam, McIlroy says he still has plenty of hunger for more major success.
McIlroy added: "I think the story as it relates to me is what do I do from now onwards? What motivates me? What gets me going? What do I still want to achieve in the game? I think that's the story, and there's still a lot that I want to do.
"You think that every time you achieve something you'll be happy but then the goalposts move, so I think what I've realised is if you can find enjoyment in the journey, that's the big thing. I felt like the career Grand Slam was my destination, and I got there, and then I realised it wasn't the destination."
