Rory, you are the four-time champion of Truist, but at Quail Hollow Golf Club, we are at Philadelphia Cricket Club this year. Can you be open to defending some ideas in this long history?
Rory McIlroy: Yes, I won the Truist title in the last two times and the second year I couldn't defend on the same golf course. We won the championship in 21, then played Potomac, won the championship last year, and then we came.
So it's not like defense, but it's nice to be here. It’s cool to always come to a new venue, visit a new golf course and do new things at this stage of my career.
It was great to attend this golf course. I've heard a lot about this golf course and it's been cool to play it over the last few days. I'm trying to learn something about it and trying to come up with a strategy to play it.
Yes, it's great to be here. I think the first week was to come back alone and play for the past few weeks. I'm so glad to be back as a golfer. It's nice to go back to routines again, to work I know.
ask: You had a chance to hit nine holes this morning. Can you share more information on this golf course about standing out on your golf course?
Rory McIlroy: I played nine games yesterday. I played the first nine today. This is very similar to many of the old-fashioned courses that have been renovated in the past few years. Many trees have been removed. For me, the Green Complex is something interesting about golf courses.
It seems to me that it's like a smaller version of Oak Hill without real strategy because there is no real danger. There are some fairway bunkers, but if you avoid these bunkers, the rough time isn't too long, so it's not a huge fine.
A little bit simple tee is the best way to describe it, I guess, but make sure the second photo below you are going to be under the hole and try to learn more about the green. Yes, the somewhat smaller Oak Hill is the way I see the course.
ask: Do you play cricket a lot?
Rory McIlroy: I hit a little.
ask: Bat or bowl?
Rory McIlroy: Actually, it's a bit of both. I played a little in Sullivan, a school I've been to. Yes, I was – I actually prefer bowling to hit. I never really wanted to get hit by the ball.
ask: You just hint at the opening ceremony that your business hat is back on. Are you passionate about the present in all the celebrations?
Rory McIlroy: Yes, I don't even think – not – even the celebration, it's almost like your obligation afterwards.
I want to go home and see my fellow villagers, that's great. But then had to play directly in New Orleans, it was a different week and a fun week, and I don't think I really had to prepare a lot. I can rely on Shane a little when I need it.
But especially last week, I had Michael Bannon in town. We practiced for three days – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – but then I spent three days in New York and made some pieces. So when I got home and kind of back to my real routine Sunday, Monday, came here, it felt more – you know, that period was behind me, and I was looking forward to the next few months.
ask: You said that at this stage of your career, it is great to come to a new course and a new place. You just talked about a little bit, but in the area, what kind of thing do you two stand out in the course? What is the importance of this trip to a new place?
Rory McIlroy: Look, Philadelphia is one of the best places to golf in the United States. There are a lot of great classes around. We already have it – next year we will be playing PGA in Aronimink. We will be broadcasting the U.S. Open in Merion in 30. There are a lot of great golf in the area.
This is a beautiful place. I don't think we're playing enough games in the Northeast, but many Northeast golf courses are smaller venues like this, and the size of these games over the years makes it hard to hold large competitions like this. The logistical problems arising are the main problems.
As a golf course, it's – look, me – it's an older class that's been renovated and I think they do a really good job on it. It's just renovated, I don't know, or I don't know a few years ago, but it's not like a brand new refurbishment.
I think when it's renovated it may last until it's hit, but even now it's been ten years now, I think each par-4 is about 430, 440. They feel like they are 40 or 50 yards better than what they need. However, it's a cool track.
ask: Literally, millions of people around the world want to know if this guy will win the Masters? There are too many emotions in it. In your own mind, you always have confidence that you will win it?
Rory McIlroy: I always have hope. It seems not me – I won't show up in Augusta and feel like I can't win. I think that week, I would go there for the championship dinner and then wear a green coat with swans everywhere, but I can't play.
Yes, I always have hope. I always feel like I have a game. Like I thought, as everyone saw in nine games on Sunday, it was about overcoming – I don't know what the right phrase is, but the idea of beating myself was a big deal for me, overcoming that obstacle.
Look, I'm glad it's done. I don't want to go back to that Sunday afternoon. I'm so glad to complete my way and we can all continue to live.
ask: Do you always imagine the idea of wearing a green jacket? Do you know it in your mind?
Rory McIlroy: No, that's not true – for me, whenever I think of these things, I think of golf. I think of golf. I think of the satisfaction of winning the game.
No, I never thought about the Butler cabin ceremony. I never thought about everything. I imagine playing the hit I need to play to win the golf tournament.
ask: Rory, a few weeks ago, you were talking about how you wanted a club with 300 yards on the fairway. Is this the golf course you are still looking for that club, or is it a golf course that will be open season with drivers everywhere?
Rory McIlroy: Yes, you can send it. Each bunker seems to be able to carry 300 to 310, thankfully. There is a Bunker on 9, which is 331, but about 10, so it is equivalent to 320. That was the longest one I tried to overcome. In good situations I can, if calm or a little help.
Yes, this is basically the season of openness. On the way – I went back to Oak Hill on PGA a few years ago and I tried to play golf strategically for the first few days, and I just realized these new renovated old school courses like the strategy took a hit anywhere and then figured it out from there. This is the strategy for this place this week.
ask: Is this still the club you'll have the rest of the summer?
Rory McIlroy: For some courses, I think so, but I've always been worried about putting a club in a week. I like getting used to clubs. I know the characteristics of my Sanmu. I've been using it for over a year. Then I know the characteristics of my 5 wood. I know, if there is, I will miss the 3 wood on the right, if there is, I will miss the 5 wood on the left.
Every club has its own personality, and I think learning what it is. Therefore, I am very opposed to changing a lot.
ask: Can you talk about going home the week after the Masters? What did you do? How was that experience? Does it help you recharge? I think poppy might be with you. So how about it?
Rory McIlroy: Yes, we all as a family – Poppy, Erica and I – first went to London to see the new house we've been building over the past few years. So it's fun to see it. Then we spent a weekend in Northern Ireland. I also want to meet my fellow villagers, as well as my immediate family and Michael Bannon.
We did it. Look, it's amazing to go home. I don't want to make a big fuss. I don't want to – I'm trying to make it as private as possible. I just wanted to meet my parents and the closest to me and we spent two days.
Like my father, I have never been as excited as my father. Very good. Very happy to see him. Then, when I met Mom, I-yes, we were both in a mess for a few minutes.
Look, as an only child, I have a bond. I'm lucky, I know a lot of people feel this way, they have a close connection with their parents, but I think over time, I'm continuing some age and I realize they won't be there forever. This means they can still see me finishing the Grand Slam and realizing those dreams.
ask: Just lived, how much does this have to do with your ideas, rather than trying to win another major title and make the Grand Slam a byproduct?
Rory McIlroy: I think it's hard for Jordan – you have to go back to Jordan every year to compete in the same game, but not the same golf course. I think it's a little different – it's a different proposition for him, not that I have to go back to the same venue every year, and I think so.
Even though you try to get yourself in the right mindset in order to try to win a golf tournament and then let everything else happen, it's there. Consciously or subconsciously, you will feel it.
I said to people that the worst thing I felt in Augusta on Sunday was probably I got my birdie putt to the top 10 before because I was like, oh, I can't really mess it up right now. There is pressure.
You know you are not only going to win another game, but you are trying to be a part of history and have a certain weight. Of course I'll feel in Augusta over the years. I'm sure Jordan felt he had a chance to do the same thing.
ask: You mentioned the return to normal, but next week you will arrive at the major for the first time in a decade without the drought problem. I'm curious because things have been solved and you're close to professional because this problem no longer exists, how do you feel?
Rory McIlroy: I think there are a few things. Obviously, I would feel more comfortable, less stressed, and I was back to the venue I liked. What happened a few weeks ago, what happened next week, and what happened there, and then how great I played in Quail, it was nothing more than positive resonance.
Yes, this may be a little different. I probably won’t be like the edge of the past few years when I’ve been to big tournaments. It might be better to be with my family, and I will be more relaxed. I think this will be a good thing in general.
