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It took Rory McIlroy 11 years to complete the career Grand Slam, but less than one to already get tired of wearing the green jacket.
McIlroy finally achieved this rare feat with his long-awaited Masters victory in April, which didn’t come easy – it took a playoff hole against Justin Rose to achieve it.
But with victory comes responsibility, 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 playoff victory 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 he wore it in Abu Dhabi, even though he admittedly didn’t want to.
“I was in India a few weeks ago, and in the Middle East the last couple of weeks, and most places you go, if you have events, people want to see the green jacket,” McIlroy said. “So you bring the green jacket with you, and sometimes you don’t want to wear it, you know? You don’t want to. 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 told my wife, Erica, ‘If you ever hear me complain about wearing this thing again, hit me or do something, because I’ve waited my whole life to wear this, and I’m complaining about wearing it.'”
McIlroy had already achieved 75% of career Grand Slams in 2014, just four years after winning his first major tournament. It was a question of when, not if, McIlroy would get his green jacket, but year after year, someone else walked into Butler Cabin.
As soon as he drained his winning putt at the Masters, McIlroy collapsed on the green and was virtually inconsolable, as all the pressure had finally been taken off his shoulders. Ironically, McIlroy was willing to take the jacket off those same shoulders for a brief period.
Rory McIlroy falls to his knees in celebration after winning the 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 put the jacket on anyone else next April – after his first Champions Dinner.
