Rory McIlroy said he never thought about skipping this week’s Zurich Classic in New Orleans after winning the Masters, as he believes that winning a team event with good friend Shane Lowry a year ago would help him complete a career grand slam.
“It’s amazing what a year can do,” McIlroy told reporters at a press conference at TPC Louisiana on Wednesday. “This tournament last year was a really cool moment for both of us. I think we probably put a little joy into golf in some way for me.
“Yeah, for me, I had a great year last year. I think this tournament is like a really good golf catalyst I played for the rest of the year.”
McIlroy said the past 10 days have been a whirlwind since beating Justin Rose in a one-hole playoff at Augusta National Golf Club, capturing the Green Jacket and becoming the sixth golfer to win the Masters, PGA Championship and US Open and Open Championship.
McIlroy and his wife, Erica, travelled to London to see the house they were building there. They visited McIlroy’s parents in Northern Ireland and spent time with caddy Harry Diamond and longtime coach Michael Bannon.
“() Celebrating with people who have been part of this whole whole in my entire career has been absolutely amazing,” McIlroy said.
McIlroy said he was fighting the cold from his trip, but was ready to defend Zurich’s classic title with Lowry. They defeated Chad Lammy and Martin trainers in the first hole of the playoffs in McIlroy’s first appearance at the event last year.
“If you asked me if I was sitting here in this position and everything that happened,” McIlroy said. “But yeah, I honestly couldn’t make it professionally, personally and all, in a better place in my life.”
McIlroy said he contacted him the day after the two presidents won his fifth major championship victory and his first since the 2014 PGA Championship. He also said he heard it from other celebrities outside of golf.
“It’s amazing in a few days and I think the big thing for me is how everything resonates with people and people who reached out to me, so that I can look back at it and everything and all the size,” he said. “It’s absolutely amazing. Look, it’s not every day that you can fulfill one of your lifelong goals and dreams, and I really enjoyed everything that comes with it.”
Laurie wondered if McIlroy would still want to play in the Zurich Classic, regardless of what happened in Augusta National’s 2nd 9th. After McIlroy made a double bogey on the par 5 13th hole, Rory told his caddy, Darren Reynolds, he was lucky to play in the Zurich Classic.
“I don’t think he would want to be here if things didn’t go down his path, and if things went well, he wanted to be somewhere else,” Laurie said. “But I’m happy he’s here.”
While they celebrated McIlroy’s elusive Masters victory on Sunday night, Laurie asked if he was still planning to play in team events. McIlroy told him, “Absolutely, we are defending the title.”
“I want to go back there,” McIlroy said. “I think this is the perfect vibe to do that, and I think that’s part of why I want to respect the commitment to being here, because being with Shane is a fun event, and I know that isn’t everything I do.
Laurie and McIlroy will tee off in the first round at 7:52am on Thursday. Since the team format was introduced in 2017, no pair has defended that title.
“When I came back from Ireland on Sunday, I was barely able to get out of bed when I woke up on Monday morning. “I think it’s an accomplishment to just be here and feel better. But I need to do a little practice and a bit of work today to avoid disappointing this guy this week.”