Sarah Stirk Sky Sports Golf presenter reflects on the journeys that shaped her, from discovering golf as an injured teen to playing Augusta National, travelling the world, and finding her favourite courses, cities, and unforgettable travel moments.

When did you first pick up a golf club

I was 17, a tennis player and I had a bad injury. I was studying at Millfield School in the sixth form and my housemaster, Mr Wilson, took me to the driving range one evening, we hit a few balls…I wasn’t addicted straight away, but it got me into the sport, and I started to play more and more.

Little did I know that evening would lead to presenting the biggest tournaments in the game. I currently play off a seven handicap.

What’s your favourite golf resort

There’s so many, I love Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island, playing the 18th with the famous lighthouse, is memorable, it’s also a very playable golf course off the forward tees.

Quinta do Logo is my favourite place to golf, I’ve got a place there, I’ve spent a lot of time there over the past 20 years, I love Portugal the lifestyle, the beaches, and the people.

Old Head in Ireland also needs to get a mention, you can see the sea from every hole and is an experience like no other.

Who would be your ideal holiday golf partners

Rory Mcllroy, I’ve known him for years and would be great to play with him, Taylor Swift, because she’s amazing, funny, and brilliant for what she does for women and very empowering, and finally Michael McIntyre because he would be hilarious to play with, I think the four of us together would have a good crack.

Where did you go for your most recent holiday

The Algarve, I tend to go on short haul holidays, now having a family commitment, my plan is to retire over there.

Best memory in golf

Playing Augusta National, the day after the 2023 Masters, they have the media ballot, with Sky Sports being the rights holder, we get one golden ticket a year to play the course on the Monday, my boss handed me the invitation in an envelope on the Sunday as we went into work.

It was great to play with all the scoreboards up, getting up and down from 100 yards on the 18th for a Par was the highlight of my round, it was an amazing experience and I shot and 96 which I was very happy with using borrowed clubs.

Apart from playing Augusta, other great memories include shooting a 74 at Ruddington Grange Golf Club in Nottingham.

What’s your favourite golf course in the UK

That would be the Queens Course at Gleneagles, my uncle had an apartment next to resort and while I was at university, I did a summer season there… and as a staff member we got to play the courses through twilight rounds, so the Queens Course is where I learnt to play the game and it’s one of the prettiest courses in the UK.

I have a give Sunningdale Old a mention too.

What’s the best hotel you’ve ever stayed in

The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, I had a private butler service, sound proofed rooms, so you couldn’t hear any noise from the outside, everything about the hotel was exceptional.

It was through a work-based event working on the Gary Player invitational.

What’s your favourite city in the world

That has to be New York, I love the vibe and energy, I think it feels more intimate than London, I stayed with family and friends in Long Island and took myself off into New York for the day, that was my  first proper time travelling on my own.

I love The High Line, which is an elevated freight rail line which was transformed into a public park. I’ve been pre and post 9/11 and seen both the Twin Towers and Ground Zero. The whole city has so many cool areas.

Hosting a Nike event with Rory and Tiger was also memorable, it was at night at Liberty National GC and seeing Manhattan lit up in the distance will long live in the memory.

Most memorable meal

Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in Bray, it was a bit out there for me but very memorable, the whole meal was pure theatre, taking the lids of the glass bowls and seeing the smoke raising and wearing headphones as you eat, you hear chatter and laughter, waves crashing and seagulls squawking while you‘re eating a seafood course.

My favourite course was the chocolate fondant, that was pure heaven. I would go back there for this dessert alone.

My top travel tip

Is travelling light, I’ve also been so bad at packing, I used to use only a third of the clothes I took on trips, I now only use the cabin suitcase, but it’s taken me years to realise this.

Remember you can also pick up shampoo and toiletries when you get to your destination.

Sarah and Anton Du Beke’s golf podcast, Putt and Strut, is about to launch its second season in 2026 and will be available to download on all major podcast platforms.

The post ME AND MY TRAVELS: SARAH STIRK appeared first on Golf News.

Please share with us your thoughts at this moment.

RORY McILROY: I’d like to start this press conference with a question myself.

What are we all going to talk about next year? (Laughter).

Look, it’s a dream come true. I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember. I mentioned it out in the prize ceremony, but watching Tiger here in 1997 do what he did, and then winning his first green jacket, I think that inspired so many of my generation to want to emulate what he did.

You know, there were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders, but I didn’t make it easy today. I certainly didn’t make it easy. I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on the golf course. In a funny way, I feel like the double bogey at the first sort of settled my nerves.

And it’s funny, walking to the second tee, the first thing that popped into my head was Jon Rahm a couple years ago making double and going on to win. So at least my mind was in the right place, and was at least thinking positively about it.

But just a complete roller coaster of a day. It felt — it was very tricky out there. It almost felt more like a U.S. Open than a Masters at some points just with how firm and fast the greens got. But yeah, just really proud of how I bounced back from the double on 1, from the double on 13. I don’t know if — I don’t know if any Masters champions had four doubles during the week, but maybe I’m the first. But yeah, just a complete roller coaster of emotions today.

And honestly, you know, what came out of me on the last green there in the playoff was, you know, at least 11 years, if not 14 years of pent-up emotion. You know, since 2011, I think it’s so ironic, as well. I got to my locker this morning and I opened it up, and there was a note in there from Angel Cabrera, and just wishing me luck. And Angel Cabrera was the player I played with on the final day in 2011, it was a nice touch and a little bit ironic at the same time. It’s been 14 long years, but thankfully I got the job done.

Q. Well done, Rory.

RORY McILROY: Thank you.

Q. Expanding on that, and now you’ve done it, can you expand on the level of difficulty or torture of what it’s like coming back here every year, people speaking about you winning it and not doing it, and I suppose you probably couldn’t say things at the time that you thought. How difficult was that in reality?

RORY McILROY: It’s very difficult. I think I’ve carried that burden since August 2014. It’s nearly 11 years.

And not just about winning my next major, but the career Grand Slam. You know, trying to join a group of five players to do it, you know, watching a lot of my peers get green jackets in the process.

Yeah, it’s been difficult, and I’ve tried to approach this tournament with the most positive attitude each and every time that I’ve shown up, and I think just the sort of cumulative experience that I’ve gained coming back here each and every year, I just I feel like I get a little more comfortable with the shot needed. I talked about it at the start of the week, but you know, there’s talking about it and actually doing it.

And yeah, today was — today was difficult. I was unbelievably nervous this morning. Really nervous on the first hole, as you witnessed with the double, but as I said, that sort of calmed me down and I was able to bounce back and show that resilience that I’ve talked about a lot.

Yeah, look, it was a heavy weight to carry, and thankfully now I don’t have to carry it and it frees me up and I know I’m coming back here every year, which is lovely.

Q. No extraordinary achievement comes easy, right. So can you describe how hard you’ve worked for this, and how you’ve managed to keep the faith?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, look, you have to be the eternal optimist in this game. You know, I’ve been saying it until I’m blue in the face. I truly believe I’m a better player now than I was ten years ago.

You know, it’s so hard to stay patient. It’s so hard to keep coming back every year and trying your best and not being able to get it done.

You know, there was points on the back nine today, I thought, you know, have I let this slip again? But you know, again, I responded with some clutch shots when I needed to, and really proud of myself for that.

But yeah, just — yeah, it’s been an emotionally draining week for a lot of reasons, a lot of just roller coaster rounds and late finishes. And so just, you know, absolutely thrilled to be sitting here at the end of the week as the last man standing.

Q. You just said it, where at times today you thought you let it slip by. Can you talk about before the double at 13 when Bryson was clearly falling off and you pretty much on your own, what happened in your mind when that happened and you saw all those guys coming after you?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I mean, I thought I played the 13th hole smartly, at least for the first two shots, 3-wood off the tee, laid it up into a good position.

I had 82 yards to the pin. It had went into a little valley and it was on the upslope. And usually when I hit wedge shot off upslopes, they come out a little bit left on me. I gave myself like a couple of yards of room to the right. I wasn’t aiming at the creek, but it came out, you know, a little weak and a little right, and that was — you know, to make a double there, when it’s a birdie chance, and then seeing what Rosey was doing, and also what Ludvig was doing at the time, as well.

But at the same time, I knew I had 15 to play. The bogey didn’t help on 14, either. But I still felt like — I still felt after the tee shot on 15 that I was still in it.

I think the one hole that I was not worried about but was sort of in the back of my mind was 16 because that was an unusual Sunday pin on 16, probably for the 50th anniversary of Jack holing that in ’75. So that’s the one, it’s a very difficult location, and to hit the shot that I did; I think the iron shots that I hit coming in, 15, 16, 17, not quite the last in regulation, but in the playoff, I made a lot of good iron swings.

I think over the last I don’t know how many years, it seems that the people that lead approach at this golf tournament are usually the ones that go on to win or have a very good chance. I think my approach play for the most part this week was very good.

You know, that showed on the last few holes.

Q. If you could go back in time and see yourself here on Sunday night in 2011, what would you see and what would you say?

RORY McILROY: I would see a young man that didn’t really know a whole lot about the world. I would — yeah, I’d say I probably would see a young man with a lot of learning to do and a lot of growing up to do, and also — so I would — and maybe I probably didn’t understand myself. I didn’t understand why I got myself in a great position in 2011, and I probably didn’t understand why I let it slip in a way. But I think just having a little more self-reflection.

You know, that experience, going through the hardships of tough losses and all that, and I would say to him, just stay the course. Just keep believing. And I would say that to any young boy or girl that’s listening to this. I’ve literally made my dreams come true today, and I would say to every boy and girl listening to this, believe in your dreams, and if you work hard enough and if you put the effort in, that you can achieve anything you want.

Q. For those of us who will never know what it’s like to step up on the first tee with a two-shot lead at the Masters with a career Grand Slam on the line, can you walk us through what you were feeling, how did the nerves manifest? What were the bodily sensations you were feeling?

RORY McILROY: What tee?

Q. The first tee.

RORY McILROY: Oh, the first tee. Yeah, everything that you would — knot in your stomach. Haven’t really had much of an appetite all day. Tried to force food down.

Yeah, your legs feel a little jelly-like, and those nerves that are natural, and they are all good things. If you weren’t feeling like that, I think that’s more of a problem than when you do feel them.

It’s such a battle in your head of trying to stay in the present moment and hit this next shot good and hit the next shot good. You know, that was the battle today. My battle today was with myself. It wasn’t with anyone else. You know, at the end there, it was with Justin, but my battle today was with my mind and staying in the present.

I’d like to say that I did a better job of it than I did. It was a struggle but I got it over the line.

Q. Did anybody ask you about the second shot on 11 yet?

RORY McILROY: Not yet.

Q. Okay. I feel like when you win golf tournaments, when anybody does, you need a few good breaks. I feel like today on 5, not only having the shot to get it out of there but also where your ball ended, and when you look at what happened to you on 11, could you see that ball stop? And if you could, what was going through your mind when you saw that ball stop almost on the bank?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, look, I’ve rode my luck all week. And again, I think with the things that I’ve had to endure over the last few years, I think I deserved it (laughter).

So, yeah, anytime I hit it in the trees this week, I had a gap. Even the second shot on 7 today, which I probably shouldn’t have taken on. Harry was telling me not to. I was like, “No, no, I can do this.”

So I rode my luck all week, and you need that little bit of luck to win these golf tournaments. I didn’t see the ball on 11, but I heard the sort of groan of the crowd as it was rolling towards there and then the cheer when it stopped, and I obviously saw it.

Actually, Bryson hit his shot in the water, and I was looking at my ball thinking, like, should I run down and hit it? Should I go down and hit it out of turn to make sure it doesn’t roll in? But I got down there, and it was on a little flat spot, so it was okay. But yeah, was quite fortunate.

Q. Back to 7. It looked like after that shot, your body language really changed. You even, I think, tipped your cap to Bryson or somebody.

RORY McILROY: Dottie.

Q. That shot and also the shot on 15, even though you didn’t make the eagle putt, it looked like a huge draw. Can you take us through the dynamics of both shots? Because they are kind of ironic, I think, of the day.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, so 7, I had problems all week with the 7th, 14th and 17th tee shots, all going that direction for some reason. I just had — I just struggled seeing tee shots.

When I hit it left, you know, I knew where the pin is — or I knew where the pin was. I knew that the front bunker wasn’t bad. I could have chased it up into the front bunker, but I saw a gap, and I was like, I can actually get this on the green, and if it goes in that little bowl, it could go close.

It was actually a very similar shot to the shot I played yesterday on 7 from the right trees, just opened up a 9-iron and hit it as hard as I could. To be able to pull it off was pretty cool even though I didn’t hole that putt either.

15 was an advantage. I had 8-iron in my hand, and Bryson hit first and hit it in the water. The breeze had freshened up, so I switched back to a 7 and then hit that shot. It was one of those where I knew it was enough to cover, and if it turned it, great, and if it didn’t, you’re sort of in that right trap and it’s not an easy up-and-down, but it’s a decent miss.

So that was — that was the sort of mindset on that one.

Q. Can you describe the internal feeling of joy and relief when you hit your knees on the 18th hole when it was over in the playoff?

RORY McILROY: It was all relief. There wasn’t much joy in that reaction. It was all relief. (Laughter).

And then, you know, the joy came pretty soon after that. But that was — I’ve been coming here 17 years, and it was a decade-plus of emotion that came out of me there.

Q. What did you say to Justin and vice versa?

RORY McILROY: I just — I congratulated him on a great week. I said, we — it’s ironic how these things happen. We were invited to a dinner by a few members of the club on Tuesday night, and we were the only two players at that table, and we are the ones that end up being in the playoff. It’s funny how these things work.

But he’s a great champion. He has displayed so much grace throughout his career. You know, selfishly, I was happy that it was another Euro in the playoff. We’re on a good run at the minute. We’re Ryder Cup year and all that.

But yeah, you know, Justin is a great champion. And I remember watching the playoff in ’17 when he went up against Sergio, and that didn’t quite go his way, either. But he’s had a phenomenal record around here, and I feel for him a little bit because he’s been so close.

Yeah, he’s a good friend, and yeah, hopefully he has a few more opportunities.

Q. Quick detail. What’s the size of your jacket?

RORY McILROY: I think it’s a 38 regular.

Q. How did you regroup after missing the putt on 18?

RORY McILROY: After scoring, Harry and I were walking to the golf cart to bring us back to the 18th tee, and he said to me, “Well, Pal, we would have taken this on Monday morning.”

I’m like, “Yeah, absolutely we would have.” That was an easy reset. He basically said to me, look, you would have given your right arm to be in a playoff at the start of the week. So that sort of reframed it a little bit for me.

Yeah, again, I just kept telling myself, just make the same swing you made in regulation. And I hit a great drive up there, and yeah, the rest is history.

Q. And what would you say has been the low point during this drought?

RORY McILROY: There’s been a few. It’s hard because, like, I’ve played so much good golf. It’s hard to call the second-place finishes and the — St Andrews was a tough one to take because you only get a few opportunities there, you know, during the course of your career.

The U.S. Open last year was awful. But yeah, the losses are hard, and you know, again, just so proud of myself that I keep coming back and putting myself in positions to win these championships.

Q. You made 30 3s this week.

RORY McILROY: Is that good?

Q. Yeah, that’s good. And there were a couple of other numbers in there, too.

RORY McILROY: A couple of 7s.

Q. How did you navigate the second nine? Was there a lot of positive talk? How did you just get through the up and down of the second nine?

RORY McILROY: So when I birdied 10 and bogeyed 11, which was fine, and made a good 3 on 12, hit it where you’re supposed to hit it, 2-putt and move on.

Walking to the 13th tee, I was thinking, I can play the next three holes in 4, 4, 4. That’s what I was thinking. Didn’t quite materialize that way. But I was really just trying to break it down into threes. I felt like I played 10, 11, 12 well. I was trying to play 13, 14, 15 well. Didn’t quite materialize. I played 16 and 17 well. Didn’t feel like I played the 18th badly, and had a chance to win in regulation.

But yeah, I just basically broke it down into three-hole stretches.

Q. Earlier this week you were asked about Jack and Gary Player and Tom Watson all picking you and rooting for you, and you deftly deflected the question. I wonder now if you can speak to the burden that comes with history, the burden that comes with fellow greats or guys you want to count yourself amongst. What does that feel like?

RORY McILROY: It’s tough. You know, you’ve had Jack, Gary, Tom, Tiger, you name it, come through here, and all say that I’ll win the Masters one day. That’s a hard load to carry, especially — it is. It really is.

You know, these are idols of mine, and it’s — look, it’s very flattering that they all come up here and they believe in me and they believe in my abilities to be able to win this tournament and, you know, achieve the Grand Slam and all that.

But it doesn’t help, you know. (Laughter) I wish they didn’t say it.

But, you know, I think as well, as the years have went on, I’ve just become more accustomed to the noise that sort of surrounds my whole Masters week and I’ve become a little more comfortable with it.

Q. Curious what you think the best shot you hit today was, and why you feel that way?

RORY McILROY: The best shot I hit today was — it could be the second on 7, but I think the most — one of the most important ones for me was the second shot on 3. You know, I started 6, 5. Hit a good tee shot on 3. That’s not an easy second shot, bumping it up that hill. To judge that well and make a 3 there, when Bryson then made 5, and then to go ahead and birdie the next hole, as well, I thought that was — you know, it was very early in the round, but it was a huge moment.

Q. You and Harry grew up together in a tiny town playing childhood games together. What does it feel like to have him standing beside you today when you achieved that childhood dream?

RORY McILROY: Eamonn. Yeah, I’ve known Harry since I was seven years old. I met him on the putting green at Holywood Golf Club. We’ve had so many good times together. He’s been like a big brother to me the whole way through my life (tearing up).

To be able to share this with him after all the close calls that we’ve had, all the crap that he’s had to take from people that don’t know anything about the game, yeah, this one is just as much his as it is mine.

He’s a massive part of what I do, and I couldn’t think of anyone better to share it with than him.

Q. Congratulations. I wonder if you can talk us through your plans for tonight and the next few days. I can’t imagine you’ll be finishing that John Grisham anytime soon.

RORY McILROY: I don’t know. I’ll stay here tonight. I’ll probably head home to Florida tomorrow. I’d really love to see my mum and dad. They are back in Northern Ireland. So maybe a trip back home at some point next week.

Q. Will you be taking the green jacket to Old Trafford?

RORY McILROY: If it can inspire some better play, absolutely.

Q. Where does this rank amongst the best days of your life, and how proud of yourself are you?

RORY McILROY: It’s up there. I’m not going to compare it to life moments like a marriage or having a child.

But it’s the best day of my golfing life. And yeah, I’m very proud of myself. I’m proud of never giving up. I’m proud of how I kept coming back and dusting myself off and not letting the disappointments really get to me. Talking about that eternal optimist again. Yeah, very proud.

THE MODERATOR: Before we go, can you take us through the clubs?

RORY McILROY: Sure. The birdie on 3, I talked about. It was a little chip bump-and-run up the hill with a lob-wedge.

I hit a 5-iron on the fourth hole.

The ninth hole, I hit like a three-quarter lob wedge in there.

10, I hit 8-iron.

15, I hit a 7-iron for my second shot approach, and then on 17, I hit an 8-iron.

THE MODERATOR: And in the playoff?

RORY McILROY: And in the playoff, I hit a gap wedge, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Well, Rory, thank you and congratulations.

RORY McILROY: Thank you so much. Thank you.

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McIlroy defeated Justin Rose on the first hole of a play-off at Augusta National to join Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen in having won all four major titles.

“Welcome to the club @McIlroyRory,” Woods posted on social media.

“Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special. Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you’re a part of history. Proud of you!”

McIlroy’s close friend Shane Lowry joked that McIlroy could happily retire after completing the career grand slam.

“This means everything to him,” Lowry told Golf Channel.

“This is all he thinks about, all he talks about. He always said to me he’d retire a happy man if he won the green jacket, so I told Erica (McIlroy’s wife) he can retire now.

“He’s had a long 10, 11 years, he’s had a lot of hurdles to get over and it’s a credit to him.”

Tommy Fleetwood, who finished 21st after a closing 69, added: “I’ve said it a bunch of times, I think Rory is the best player of our generation. I don’t think he’s had to prove that for a while.

“For him to have finally got this one, a career grand slam, is unbelievably special. I think this time was always going to come, it’s just Rory makes you feel like it’s not going to at some point.

“Whatever he did today, Rory’s place in golf (history) was secure, but this has just added another layer on top of that.

“I do believe he’s the best of our generation and now he’s one of the greatest of all time.”

PRESIDENT

The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins joined political leaders from across the island in celebrating McIlroy’s victory, calling it a “truly outstanding achievement”.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the Holywood golfer’s “incredible” triumph placed him among the sport’s greatest.

“This is a huge moment in sporting history, and one that has filled everyone back home with great pride and that will undoubtedly inspire future generations to chase their dreams,” she posted on X.

“Enjoy the well-deserved celebrations, Rory!”

Irish premier Micheal Martin described the win as “epic”.

“The Green Jacket is yours Rory McIlroy,” the Taoiseach posted on X.

“A finish for the ages at Augusta to win The Masters and complete a richly-deserved career Grand Slam. Epic achievement by one of golf’s greatest talents.”

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McIlroy carded a second successive 66 at Augusta National to hold a two-shot lead over DeChambeau, who edged out the Northern Irishman in dramatic fashion to win his second US Open title at Pinehurst last year.

THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER

“It was an awesome day and puts me into a great position going into tomorrow,” McIlroy said after a third round which started with six straight threes and included eagles on the second and 15th.

“I think the big thing is not to make it a rematch, stay in my own little world.

“There’s a few other people who could make a run, I just have to stay in my own little bubble and approach the day with the same attitude I have the last few days.”

McIlroy began the third round two shots behind Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose, but birdied the first, chipped in for an eagle on the second and also birdied the third and fifth.

“Obviously it was a dream start,” McIlroy added. “Hit two perfect shots on one and converted, three perfect shots on two, three perfect shots on three.

“From finishing yesterday afternoon to teeing off today there’s a lot of anticipation and anxious energy and with all of that, to start the way I did was amazing.

“I had a little wobble around the turn there and I thought the par putt on 11 was huge to get some momentum back. After that all I was trying to do was take advantage of the par fives coming in and I was able to do that.”

BRIDGERTON

McIlroy said he had no idea how he spent Saturday evening in 2011 when he held a four-shot lead before collapsing to a closing 80, but would likely watch an episode of Bridgerton and keep off his phone tonight.

“I still have to remind myself there’s a long way to go,” he added. “I, just as much as anyone else, know what can happen on the final day here.

“I came in here talking about being the most complete version of myself as a golfer, I just have to keep reminding myself that no matter what situation I find myself in tomorrow I’ll be able to handle it.”

JAMES BOND

DeChambeau revealed his Saturday evening’s viewing would involve a Pierce Brosnan-era James Bond film as he relished the prospect of taking on McIlroy on Sunday.

“It will be the grandest stage that we’ve had in a long time, and I’m excited for it,” DeChambeau said.

“We both want to win really, really badly and there’s a lot of great players behind us, too. Got to be mindful of that and it’s about who can control themselves and who can execute the golf shots the best.

“On 15, 16, 17, 18 I just kept thinking to myself, just get in the final pairing. It’s always important in a major championship to try and be in the final pair.

“It was definitely fun knowing that it was Rory and knowing that we could have a good match up tomorrow. Like I said, we’re not the only players out there. There’s still a lot of great players. But it’s going to be a fun test.”

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LUDVIG ÅBERG: Yeah, I think so. This place, experience goes a long way, and I felt like we played a very disciplined round of golf today. When you execute the shots, it makes it a whole lot easier, obviously, but I felt like we managed sort of the shots where we were in between clubs in the right way and didn’t try to force anything, laid up on a couple of par-5s where I could have probably gone for it if I was aggressive.

Proud of the way that I finished and looking forward to tomorrow.

Q. How tough was it out there today?

LUDVIG ÅBERG: It was sneaky hard. There isn’t a ton of wind, but it still swirls. There’s a few greens that gets a little crusty towards the end of the afternoon, and you really have to place your second shots if you’re good off the tee. It makes it tricky when the wind kind of goes back in your face and then down.

But 15 was a great example where we could have hit 6 but hit a little chippy 5 to make sure it would cover and take that chip from the back, but overall, pleased.

Q. How have you prepared mentally for this test?

LUDVIG ÅBERG: I’ve just looked forward to it a lot. It’s a test of golf that I really enjoy. It demands a lot of patience. You can’t really force it. I felt like I like that type of golf. I enjoy that challenge. It’s almost like you’re walking on cloud 9 every time you play Augusta, and today that was case, as well.

Q. What’s the challenge of 15 specifically?

LUDVIG ÅBERG: Yeah, it’s tricky. The green is new so it gets a little bit firmer than some of the other ones. I was fortunate to get my drive pretty far down there so I could hit an iron in there.

But obviously you’re playing with fire when you’re messing with that front, especially with a short pin. That chip from long isn’t easy, either.

We said this week that if we’re in between numbers and you don’t love it then you should always lay up and take the wedge. It might seem boring, but a 5 isn’t a terrible score on that hole. But it’s a good golf hole.

Q. Can you put into context how good Justin Rose’s 7-under was today?

LUDVIG ÅBERG: It’s actually ridiculous. We were walking down, I can’t remember what hole it was, and he got it to 8 at some point, which we were like, that’s pretty impressive.

I haven’t seen any of his shots or putts, but I would imagine he’s pretty pleased with that.

Q. (Indiscernible) what are your sort of expectations —

LUDVIG ÅBERG: Yeah, I think we’ll expect it to get a little firm, as well. We’re expecting some nice weather, so that’s definitely the case. All you can do — it’s the same for everyone, and all we can do is just make sure that we’re ready when we play tomorrow again.

The post LUDVIG ABERG R1 MASTERS INTERVIEW appeared first on Golf News.

McIlroy ran up double bogeys on the 15th and 17th as he stumbled to a potentially ruinous 72 in his 11th attempt to claim a green jacket and complete the career grand slam.

In stark contrast, Rose had the course record of 63 in his sights after picking up his eighth birdie of the day on the 16th, but had to scramble for par on the next and bogeyed the last to card an opening seven-under-par 65.

That gave the former US Open winner a three-shot lead over defending champion Scottie Scheffler, 2024 runner-up Ludvig Aberg and Canada’s Corey Conners, with Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau another shot back.

It also ensured the 44-year-old ended the first round in the lead for the fifth time in his career, breaking the record he had shared with six-time champion Jack Nicklaus since also shooting 65 in 2021.

“Typically day one they set the course up quite difficult so I went out there trying to be patient and just got off to a flyer,” said Rose, who birdied the first three holes, made another hat-trick of gains from the eighth and also birdied the 15th and 16th.

“From that moment I felt I was definitely on the front foot. The ball was going exactly where I was looking and began to feel there was a good round in me. Just 18 I guess came unstuck but for the most part it was a great day.”

Rose, who lost a play-off to Sergio Garcia in 2017, will be well aware that Scheffler had earlier made an ominous start to his bid for a third Masters title in four years courtesy of a bogey-free 68.

“I would have felt pretty good about it,” Scheffler said when asked if he would have taken a 68 before teeing off.

“I had a feeling the golf course was going to get pretty firm. The areas to hit your irons out here are pretty small and they get even smaller when the greens are firm.”

CHIP INTO CREEK

McIlroy looked on course to at least match Scheffler’s score when he reached four under par with a two-putt birdie on the 13th, but missed from short range for another on the next and then ran up a double bogey on the 15th after chipping from over the green into the water at the front.

That was precisely what Nicklaus had warned was keeping McIlroy from winning more major titles when he had revealed earlier that he had approved the Northern Irishman’s plan to tackle Augusta National over lunch last week.

“We went through it shot for shot, he got done with the round, I didn’t open my mouth and I said ‘I wouldn’t change a thing,’” Nicklaus said in a press conference following the honorary starters ceremony.

“The discipline to do that is what Rory has lacked in my opinion. He’s got all the shots, he’s got all the game.

“He certainly is as talented as anybody in the game, but if you go back through his history in the last few years he gets to a place and all of a sudden a seven or an eight pops up and that keeps him from getting where he needs to go.”

McIlroy also double-bogeyed the 17th after hitting his approach over the green and three-putting from 20 feet, but at least saved par on the 18th after a wayward drive.

Hatton, who recorded four birdies and a solitary bogey on the 17th in a 69, branded Augusta National “unfair at times” after weekend rounds of 79 and 80 in 2022, but was ninth last year and was asked if he was starting to warm to the course.

“Do I like any golf course?” he joked. “It’s just so hard. It’s like, you love being here and it’s very special, but at any moment you can just hit a shot and it just does your head in. I just need to keep hitting perfect shots.”

The post Justin Rose leads as Rory McIlroy suffers nightmare finish at Masters appeared first on Golf News.

Bernhard Langer, as your final master’s appearance is coming closer, how are your emotions holding up?

It is going to be a bittersweet experience realising it’s going to be my last competitive rounds here at the Masters Tournament. At the same time, I realise the course is too long and I’m getting shorter. I have no chance to win anymore, so it’s time to say goodbye. But it will also be a special time to be there with all my family and friends to support me and to say farewell from one of my favorite events and venues.

Talking about your family and friends. So, this week obviously is very, very special. Do you stick to your usual routine during the Masters week or is it more important for you to enjoy this week with family and friends?

Hopefully I can do both. I will prepare like a normal event and get my practice rounds in, have my time and exercises. But at the same time, I want to focus on our four children that are here, the three grandkids that are going to be here and friends from Germany and all over the world that will be here to support me. I want to soak that in and enjoy it.

You’ve already played yesterday. What are your impressions of how the Augusta National is playing so far this week? And what are your goals at your final Masters?

The course was really in a fantastic shape even after the storm. They lost a lot of trees and there was a lot of damage, but the reparations were phenomenal, it looks fantastic. Unfortunately, we’re going to have lots of rain all day long and this will soak up the golf course. It will play even longer and make it that much harder, but I will give my best and see what happens.

If you make the cut this week, you will once again become the oldest golfer to do so at the Masters. Taking the record back of Fred Couples, who took it 2023. What would it mean to you to snatch the record back from your good friend? What will it take to achieve this goal?

Fred Couples and I have been rivals and friends for many years and it would be very nice to take that back from him. The record of being the oldest player to make the cut. Who knows, he might do it again in the future because he’s a great champion and has a lot of game. But there’s always that little bit of rivalry that’s going on. To achieve this, I would have to play almost perfect golf, from tee to green, and especially putt well, because I can save a lot of strokes if I make putts, and my short game needs to be spot on as well.

Many people don’t know how hard it was for European coaches to qualify for the Masters in the early 1980s. How did you first qualify?

It used to be extremely difficult for European players to be invited to the Masters. They just weren’t recognised. The only guarantee was to win the money list in Europe, which I did in 81. So, I got an invitation in 82. I got that little piece of mail from Augusta a couple of months before and was overjoyed to finally be competing at the Masters. But in the 80s, until they started the world rankings in 86, it was almost impossible for Europeans or foreigners to be included and to be playing at the Masters or US Open or other majors in America.

You did not qualify for the Masters in 1983, and then just two years later, you were a Masters champion 40 years ago in 1985. Do you consider yourself a fast learner?

Yeah, generally, I learn fairly quickly from my mistakes. When I played my first Masters, I made 11 three-putts in two rounds, which is way too much. I figured I got to study the greens more, know every detail of all the greens, where to place the second shot, so I have an easier path. I was way better in 84 and then 85 turned out to be great.

You had already become the first German to play in the Ryder Cup in 1981. In 1985, you became the first German to win a major. When did the enormity of this achievement sink in?

It took a little while, but it was certainly unlikely for a German, especially me, coming from a very small village of Anhausen near Augsburg, to become one of the best players in the world of golf. Golf was nothing in Germany at the time. Many people, when you said you’re a golfer, they thought you play mini-golf. There was just a lot of confusion. But as I had more and more success and a couple others followed in my footsteps, I think the reputation of golf was gradually changing. The game of golf is certainly much more widespread in Germany now than what it was 50 years ago.

In 1993, you won your second Masters, having held the lead for almost the whole of the weekend. Is it harder to be the leader than it is to be the chaser?

Well, I think for many, it’s easier to be the chaser. But I’ve been in many positions, either chasing or leading. And you’ve got to embrace it and make the best of it. My two wins here at the Masters were different, the first one I was chasing and the second one I was the one being chased. So very different and very opposite. But fortunately, I came out on top on both sides.

You are a two-time Masters champion. Which victory was more special for you, and why? The first one in 85 because it was your first, or the second one in 93 because you proved that you could repeat this achievement and that it was no coincidence?

That’s a tough question. They were both important for me because the first one elevates you to another level. You’re now a Major champion, introduced on the first tee as a Major champion and you’re just more of an elite group. The second one may have been more special to me in a personal way because first of all I proved to everyone that the first one wasn’t a fluke. I won my second by four shots and beat the whole field. But maybe even more importantly, I became a Christian before 1993 and I won on Easter Sunday when we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Let’s talk about your relation with your partner and the partnership with Mercedes-Benz. This goes back almost as long as your career at the Masters. Why has this partnership worked so well for so long?

Well, I think it’s quite obvious. We’re both “made in Germany” as they say. Mercedes-Benz is the best car manufacturer in the world. I was the best golfer from Germany, one of the best in the world. We have many similarities, like quality, trustworthiness, excellence, style, just a lot of things that are important values. We share the same values and we have consistency in performing at a very high level.

So Mercedes-Benz has honored you with this a customized S-Class. This is sure to be a very special and personal moment. What were your first impressions when you saw it and what makes the vehicle so special?

I was blown away, I didn’t expect anything like this. It’s unreal. You see the car right there, it’s beautiful, very special with all the Masters logos. The years I’ve won, the interiors, the green Masters lighting, even the outside is greenish, which refers to the Masters tournament. A lot of thought and a lot of details went into this car, which is so typical for Mercedes-Benz. I’m thrilled, very proud and fortunate to have been given this car. Thank you.

Will you be driving this special car this week and make some competitors jealous and taking it for a final ride down the Magnolia Lane as a player?

Absolutely, this car will be going to the tournament and back every day the next few days. I’m sure it will turn a lot of heads. Some of my other champions or colleagues will be jealous seeing me driving such a beautiful car.

Let’s talk a little bit about your fellow companion Ludvig Åberg, the young gun from Sweden. He has recently joined the Mercedes-Benz family. What did you make out of his Master’s debut last year and when he finished runner-up? And with a good start into the season, do you think this year could be his year?

Ludvig is a very young, promising shooting star. Literally, he’s achieved a lot in just a few years of being a professional. He proved it last year with a second place in his very first Masters appearance, which is very, very rare. Most people need several years to figure out the course and how to play it. So, my expectations are very high. I think Ludvig, certainly has it in him to win at least one green jacket, if not more. Is it going to be this year? I have no idea, but I wouldn’t bet against him, and I expect him to win within the next five or 10 years, for sure.

Who else apart from Ludwig Aberg do you have on the list of potential winners for this year?

I think there’s at least 40 or 50 other guys that are hoping to put on the green jacket on Sunday. If I name a few, I’d probably have to mention Scottie Scheffler, who’s won two out of the last three, I believe. Rory McIlroy must be thinking it’s his time, he just won the players’ championship a few weeks ago and seems to be in good form. There are many, many others, but also a couple of the LIV players, Jon Rahm and Koepka especially. It’s quite a long list and they’re all hoping to be the champion by the end of the week.

What will you miss most about the Masters when you are no longer actively participating? And can you please promise that we will still see you in your green jacket at the Masters in the future?

Well, what I’m going to miss is probably the competitive rounds that I’ve played so many of here. To be competing for the title and just to play one of the most beautiful courses in the world. But I will definitely promise I’m going to plan to be back here for many years to come, to participate in the Par-3 contest, to be part of the Masters Champions Dinner and to be here for my sponsors and also to enjoy the tournament with my family and my friends.

The post BERNHARD LANGER FINAL MASTERS APPEARANCE INTERVIEW appeared first on Golf News.

Q. How have you prepared for this week, and how are you feeling coming into the tournament?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, feeling good. As you said, it’s been a nice way to start the year with the two victories at Pebble Beach and Sawgrass. Had a decent showing last time out when I played in Houston a couple weeks ago, had a good weekend, and then I’ve had a couple of visits up here, and that’s been — very glad to do that, especially with the weather yesterday.

So yeah, it’s been a really good sort of lead-in to it. Spent a week at home and had Michael Bannon over, and we were doing some practice and played quite a bit of golf and tried to stay as sharp as I could.

Yeah, it’s been a good week, and obviously looking forward to getting this thing going on Thursday.

Q. Any nagging issues with your elbow? At Sawgrass it was “The Devil Wears Prada” that got you in the mood —

RORY McILROY: In the mood for what?

Q. Anything planned for this week, similarly?

RORY McILROY: Elbow is good. Elbow is good. I got a little bit of treatment on it last week, and it’s all good.

Yeah, I’ve gotten into “Bridgerton” the last — I didn’t think I would. I was very against watching it, but Erica convinced me. So we’re on a bit of a “Bridgerton” kick this week, yeah.

Q. Six years ago you referenced Abe Lincoln, and it was basically talking about the impact of results and not to be damaged by setbacks as he had. How has that evolved, your position of looking on results as not necessarily successes or failures but merely outcomes?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I think over the course of my career I think I’ve showed quite a lot of resilience from setbacks, and I feel like I’ve done the same again, especially post-June last year and the golf that I’ve played since then, and it’s something that I’m really proud of.

Look, you have setbacks and you have disappointments, but as long as you can learn from them and move forward and try to put those learnings into practice I feel like is very, very important. I feel like I’ve showed that quite a lot over the course of my career.

Look, when you have a long career like I have had, luckily, you sort of just learn to roll with the punches, the good times, the bad times, knowing that if you do the right work and you practice the right way, that those disappointments will turn into good times again pretty soon.

Q. You’ve been working with Bob Rotella for a bit. I’m curious in your words what he brings to the table for you, how valuable he’s been to you, and are there any ways you guys have shifted your approach or altered your approach leading into this week?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, not really. Look, I first met Bob back in 2010, so I’ve known him for quite a while, 15 years, and we’ve sort of — we’ve always chatted, even if we haven’t worked officially together. We’ve always kept in touch.

I think as Gary was saying there, talking about not getting too much into results and outcomes, we talk about trying to chase a feeling on the golf course. Like if you’re on the golf course, what way do you want to feel when you’re playing golf. That’s something that is a — it’s not something I obviously just do here, but I do every week that I compete. If I can chase that feeling and make that the important thing, then hopefully the golf will take care of itself.

Q. You’ve had many different versions of your approach to the preparation process for Augusta National. How did you land on this year’s iteration for the preparation process?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I think it’s pretty similar for me over the years up until THE PLAYERS, and then you’ve got a decision to make. You’ve got three weeks leading up to this event, and it’s Tampa, Houston and San Antonio, three places that — I’ve played Tampa once. I’ve played San Antonio a few times, and that was the first time I’d played Houston at that particular golf course.

If this week wasn’t the week that it was, I’d probably take those three weeks off, but I knew that I needed to at least have one more competitive week leading in here. I opted for Houston rather than San Antonio just to change it up, more than anything else, bit of a change of scenery. But that was really it.

I try to prepare for this golf tournament pretty similarly to what I do most other weeks. I think because it’s a golf course we go back to every year, maybe there’s a little more knowledge that’s needed for certain shots, and definitely you’re going to face particular shots on this golf course that you don’t really face any other week of the year.

So coming up here a couple of times, doing a little bit more preparation on some of those shots on the golf course I think is important.

But once we get into the tournament week like now, you try to treat it the same and you just try to go through — basically check the boxes. I want to do certain things and I want to do my drills on the putting green and make sure I get my range sessions in just so that I’ve checked the boxes and feel as comfortable as I can going out there on Thursday morning.

Q. Do you recall coming here for the first time, and what you thought of how the golf course suited you and how that has evolved? Did you have sort of a feeling right away like wow, this is a place that I’m going to love, or did it take some time, and has that changed?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I mean, look, I was just happy to be driving down Magnolia Lane. There was no thought of whether this was going to be good for me or bad for me. It was just an absolute thrill of a lifetime to drive down that lane at whatever it was, 19 years old, and be playing in my first Masters.

With how I hit the ball, especially back then, I hit the ball a lot more right to left back then, so I felt like it was a golf course tee to green that set up really well for me. And as everyone knows, this golf course is all about the around-the-green shots and on the greens and making sure that you’re comfortable with those.

But as I said, you’re going to face shots and putts on this golf course that you don’t necessarily face every other week of the year. So that’s where I think the most — that’s where the most thought and the most time has to be spent and just making sure that you’re comfortable on that part of the game.

I’ve always loved this course. I’ve always loved — people ask me, If you could only play one golf course for the rest of your life, what would it be? And I think walking around this place every day would be pretty cool.

Q. For many years now the narrative at this time of year is this could be Rory’s year. And given your start in 2025, now it’s this really could be Rory’s year. Does the pressure or expectation feel any different to you, and if so, how do you manage it?

RORY McILROY: No. It’s just narratives. It’s noise. It’s just trying to block out that noise as much as possible. I need to treat this tournament like all the other tournaments that I play throughout the year.

Look, I understand the narrative and the noise, and there’s a lot of anticipation and buildup coming into this tournament each and every year, but I just have to keep my head down and focus on my job.

Q. I want to go back to what you said about only playing this golf course for the rest of your life if you could only pick one. Why is this place so special to you?

RORY McILROY: There’s the history, those sort of spring evenings where I would sit down with my dad and watch this tournament. I think all that sort of comes back to me, as well. Remembering why I fell in love with the game.

I think it’s obviously just a beautiful place. I don’t think there’s a more beautiful golf course on earth. It’s like you’re playing golf in the prettiest park in the world basically. I think just for that.

But yeah, look, the history and everything that this club and this course means to the game of golf, I think all that goes into it. But it’s just a — you could spend all day out there and time would go by very quickly. I think that’s one of the big things.

Q. Rory, Collin Morikawa caught some criticism at THE PLAYERS for saying he owes the media nothing for having left Bay Hill early. You obviously caught some heat after doing that at Pinehurst. The conversation after something like that in comparison to other professional athletes, golfers can be a little more sensitive. I’m wondering if you think that’s a fair or unfair assessment.

RORY McILROY: Well, he’s right. Not that I think he could have worded it a little bit better, but look, every other athlete, whether it be in the NBA, NFL, they’re obligated to speak to you guys after a game. We’re not. Whether that’s something that the PGA TOUR looks to in terms of putting that into their rules and regulations, but as long as that’s not the case and we have that option to opt out whenever we want, expect guys to do that from time to time.

Q. You made a comment when you left THE PLAYERS on The Golf Channel set that you have to be willing to get your heartbroken, and you had a spell where you just didn’t want to do that. Why do you think that was, and what have you figured out about that?

RORY McILROY: I think it’s a self-preservation mechanism. We’re all — you don’t want to — yeah, I think it’s more — yeah, I don’t know. It’s just more of a thing where you’re trying to not put 100 percent of yourself out there because of that.

It happens in all walks of life. At a certain point in someone’s life, someone doesn’t want to fall in love because they don’t want to get their heart broken. People, I think, instinctually as human beings we hold back sometimes because of the fear of getting hurt, whether that’s a conscious decision or subconscious decision, and I think I was doing that on the golf course a little bit for a few years.

But I think once you go through that, once you go through those heartbreaks, as I call them, or disappointments, you get to a place where you remember how it feels and you wake up the next day and you’re like, yeah, life goes on, it’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

And I think that’s the — it’s going through those times, especially in recent memory, where the last few years I’ve had chances to win some of the biggest golf tournaments in the world and it hasn’t quite happened. But life moves on. You dust yourself off and you go again.

I think that’s why I’ve become a little more comfortable in laying everything out there and being somewhat vulnerable at times.

Q. Was that after St Andrews, after LA? Did you think the sun rose and you realized it?

RORY McILROY: No, I think it was after the 2019 season. I remember I’d had a great year. I’d won four times around the world. I’d won the FedExCup. I had my best statistical season ever. But I didn’t have a great season in the major championships. I sort of made a commitment to myself from 2020 onwards that these four weeks a year I was going to — I went through a time of like, well, I’ll just prepare and I’ll just do the same things I do for every other week of the year but knowing that they’re not every other week of the year.

Yeah, I made a commitment to myself to sort of earmark these a little bit more and to give a little bit more of myself in these weeks. And I think if you see my major record since 2020, COVID was a bit of a weird year, but 2020 up until now compared to, say, the five years previous when I won the PGA in ’14, I think you’ll see a big difference in that, and that was just sitting down and reflecting at the end of 2019 thinking that I need to approach these a little bit differently again.

Q. What have you seen in terms of the golf course and how it’s playing and in particular any tee shots where your approach might change a little because of the tree loss?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, so I played two Mondays ago, the Monday of Houston, and the course was — it was pretty fast, pretty firm. The members had just had their Jamboree tournament so the course was in great shape. It was dry. Probably a little more similar to hopefully how it’s going to play by this weekend. Then last Monday was a little soft and slow, probably what it’s like out there right now after the rain yesterday.

But yeah, I think that the biggest thing, I don’t think the course plays any differently. You’ve got the four new greens on 1, 8, 15 and 16, which I think everyone saw the ladies playing here on Saturday that those greens always are a little bit firmer, especially 15, for example, watching the balls shoot through that green.

But from a tee shot perspective, there are a couple tee shots that are maybe a little less visually intimidating, thinking like a tee shot like 10 with a little bit of that tree loss on the left side. Your target there is that sort of TV or that camera tower down there at the bottom of the hill. You used to not be able to see that, and now you can see that pretty clearly. Visually it looks like you don’t have to turn the ball as much as you used to.

There’s a little bit more room on the right side of 3 if you want to hit driver up there. There’s a couple overhanging trees that aren’t there anymore.

But really, apart from that, I think it’s pretty much the same. But definitely a couple of tee shots that look a little bit different.

Q. The fact that you and Shane are here and Ireland has not won a green jacket yet, and it’s obviously high on both of you guys’ lists, what does it mean or what do you think it could mean to Ireland if one of the two of you were able to get that?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I don’t know. We went through a really nice period there from 2007 through 2014. Obviously you had Padraig winning the Opens and the PGA, had G-Mac winning at the U.S. Open at Pebble, Clarky at St. George’s, I went on my run and Shane did what he did in 2019 at Portrush.

We’ve had success in pretty recent memory. You’re sort of saying that one major may be worth a little bit more than the other majors. I don’t know. But it would be a pretty big deal, just like all the rest of them were.

Q. Is there a book that you’re reading this week or maybe heading into this week that you can share with us?

RORY McILROY: I for the first time in a long time am reading a novel. I actually got some fiction into my life. It’s a John Grisham book.

Q. Which one?

RORY McILROY: “The Reckoning.” It’s got off to a pretty good start. (Laughter.)

Q. A question about Bernhard Langer. With this being his last Masters, I was curious how you view his legacy as a pro.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, just amazing. Sort of like the Iron Man of golf. I’ve played with Bernhard a little bit. I played a couple of times with him in my rookie year on the European Tour in 2008, played with him in Germany, once, actually, which was really cool. And then I actually played with him in the third round of the 2020 Masters.

Yeah, I mean, he’s been amazing. Just what he’s been able to do on the Champions Tour — what he did in his regular career but especially what he’s done post-50, I think just to have that competitive spirit and have that competitive fire burn for so long, I don’t know if I would be able to do that.

But I think it’s unbelievably impressive. Hopefully he gets the send-off that he wants this week.

Q. Throughout the years through your highs and lows you have had various people to fall back on like Bob, Brad, Harry, but how important is Poppy becoming a part of the team, especially during the lows that you have to experience?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, look, it definitely makes the lows a little easier to take. But yeah, look, the highs are going to be high anyway, but it’s amazing — I think especially after THE PLAYERS, I think it was the first time that she sort of realized what I did, which was really cool. Also a little scary at the same time.

Yeah, look, it’s amazing that I can share these things with her and with Erica and — the day after THE PLAYERS, she went into school and there was a couple of kids that had said some stuff to her, and she came home to me that day and said, Daddy, are you famous? I said, It depends who you talk to. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. You have to temper the expectations sometimes.

Yeah, look, as everyone knows that’s had children, it’s an amazing addition to life, and it’s great that she’s here this week.

The post MASTERS INTERVIEW: RORY McILROY appeared first on Golf News.

Created exclusively for the event, the Skechers GO GOLF Blade ‘Master of the Green’ Player Edition golf shoe features Skechers’ Hands Free Slip-ins® technology, signature comfort and performance with bold, tournament-inspired style.

From the tee to the green, these shoes were built for precision, grip, and all-day comfort – because every step counts when a Green Jacket is on the line!

INSPIRED ELEMENTS

Paying homage to the rich history of Augusta National, the Skechers GO GOLF Blade ‘Master of the Green’ PE features signature green accents and an outsole plate that takes inspiration from the tournament’s iconic course guide.

If you look closely, the sock-liner also boasts a customised design inspired by the historical course layout.

These custom designed shoes will be showcased throughout the tournament, offering fans a glimpse at Skechers’ latest innovations – and a new look at what comfort and performance can mean on the course.

KEY INNOVATIONS

Designed for golfers who want to focus on their swing – not their shoes – one of the key features of the GO GOLF Blade include Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins® technology.

Delivering a revolutionary blend of performance, comfort, and total convenience, this groundbreaking feature allows players to step in and go completely hands-free, thanks to Skechers’ exclusive Heel Pillow design that securely holds the foot into place.

Bulit with Skechers lightweight and resilient ECOFLIGHT cushioning made with at least 10% recycled materials, a GRIPFLEX spikeless TPU outsole providing superior traction and stability, plus high-performance Resamax® sockliners for prolonged comfort on the course, this innovative golf style doesn’t just slip on – it locks in for all-day performance.

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Scheffler is bidding to become just the fourth player to win back-to-back green jackets after Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.

Here, GOLF NEWS looks at some of the main contenders for the year’s first major championship.

Scottie Scheffler

Scheffler, who won his first green jacket in 2022, was in brilliant form ahead of last year’s Masters, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational by five shots and seven days later becoming the first player to claim back-to-back Players Championship titles at Sawgrass. The world number one has unsurprisingly not been able to replicate such heroics to date after a delayed start to the season caused by a hand injury suffered while preparing dinner on Christmas Day, but ominously returned to form with rounds of 62 and 63 and a share of second in his last pre-Masters start in Houston.

Rory McIlroy

McIlroy’s 11th attempt to win the Masters and complete a career grand slam comes on the back of a superb start to the season, including victories in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Players Championship. Immediately after the former McIlroy referenced winning at “one of the cathedrals of golf” and the other course he mentioned was, unsurprisingly, Augusta National. His recent Masters record includes a thrilling closing 64 in 2022 sandwiched between two missed cuts, while his hopes of contending last year were ruined by a second round of 77.

Bryson DeChambeau

DeChambeau was ridiculed for saying in 2020 that Augusta National was a “par 67 for me” due to his prodigious hitting, only to manage a best score of 69 that year – the Masters was held in November due to the covid pandemic – to finish 18 shots behind winner Dustin Johnson. However, DeChambeau finally broke his personal par to lead after an opening 65 last year and eventually finished sixth, his first top-10 finish in eight starts. A month later he finished second behind Xander Schauffele in the US PGA and in June claimed his second US Open title after a dramatic battle with Rory McIlroy.

Xander Schauffele

Schauffele insisted the best was yet to come after narrowly missing out on the Players Championship title last year and was proved correct in stunning fashion, winning his maiden major title in the US PGA and following up with victory in the Open at Royal Troon. A tie for seventh in the US Open meant that his eighth place in the Masters was his worst finish in the majors in 2024, while he was also runner-up at Augusta to Tiger Woods in 2019 and third in 2021.

Ludvig Aberg

Aberg was listed as a contender last year despite the fact that it was his debut at Augusta, and first start in any major, with Fuzzy Zoeller famously being the last player to win the Masters on their tournament debut back in 1979. In typical fashion Aberg defied expectations and held a share of the lead after seven holes of the final round before finishing second behind Scheffler. The 25-year-old Swede birdied four of the last six holes to win his second PGA Tour title in the Genesis Invitational in February.

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