Lapping up the pomp as Masters champion is what each golfer desires, but it surely additionally comes with extra interviews, extra displays and – doubtlessly – extra distractions.
Spain’s Jon Rahm completed tied forty fifth on his return after profitable in 2023, later admitting he struggled to “modify” with the calls for of “lots happening”.
“Should you’ve gained the Masters, particularly for Rory, it truly is a dream come true. So that you’re completely happy to return there and I do not suppose the extra commitments are ever a distraction,” stated Brown.
“Rory has performed all the things he got down to do in his profession, however there are all the time extra objectives. Now he desires to defend it.
“As an expert sportsman, you are all the time striving for the following win. What can I enhance to take me to the following degree?
“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 gasoline.”
McIlroy’s type going into the season-opening main offers little indication about his possibilities.
Three top-10 finishes in his opening 4 occasions of 2026 bode nicely, earlier than a again damage compelled 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 offered a “good alternative to handle 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 capacity.
“Augusta over time has made me fairly tentative at instances, particularly with method play,” McIlroy stated.
“By changing into a greater putter, by engaged on my brief recreation and changing into higher across the greens, that in all probability allowed me to turn into extra aggressive with my method play.
“I feel that is been a giant a part of the rationale why I’ve now finally gained there, however why my play has obtained higher there over time.”
McIlroy feels the Masters is the key the place he may doubtlessly finish his profession with essentially the most success.
Changing into a a number of champion this week, and a uncommon back-to-back winner, can be one other {golfing} mountain which he has managed to scale.
