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It took Rory McIlroy 11 years to complete the career Grand Slam, but less than one to already be tired of wearing the green jacket.
McIlroy finally completed the rare feat with his long-awaited Masters victory in April, which hardly came easily – it took a playoff hole against Justin Rose to pull it off.
With victory comes responsibility, however, which means he wears the green jacket almost everywhere he goes.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland holds the trophy after receiving the green gacket following his victory in a playoff during the final round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. (David Cannon/Getty Images)
In an interview with CNBC, McIlroy recalled a recent time when he wore it in Abu Dhabi, although he admittedly didn’t feel like it.
“I was in India a couple of weeks ago and I was in the Middle East the last two weeks and most places you go, if you do events, people want to see the green jacket,” McIlroy said. “So you take the green jacket with you and sometimes you don’t want to wear it, you know? You don’t. I kind of complained about wearing it in Abu Dhabi.
Scottie Scheffler places the green jacket on Rory McIlroy during the green jacket ceremony after the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)
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“I said to my wife, Erica, ‘If you ever hear me complain about wearing this thing again, punch me or do something, because I’ve waited my whole life to wear this and I’m complaining about wearing it’.”
McIlroy had already completed 75% of career Grand Slams in 2014, just four years after winning his first major. It was a matter of when, not if, McIlroy would get his green jacket, but year after year, someone else walked into the Butler Cabin.
As soon as he drained his Masters-winning putt, McIlroy collapsed on the green and was practically inconsolable as all the pressure was finally lifted from his shoulders. Ironically, McIlroy was OK with having the jacket off those same shoulders for a short period of time.
Rory McIlroy drops to his knees to celebrate after winning a playoff on the 18th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Images)
But he will surely do his best not to take someone else’s jacket next April – after his first Champions Dinner.
