Masters champion Rory McIlroy will never complain about having to wear the green jacket ever again.
If he does, his wife Erica Stoll has permission to punch him.
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McIlroy dropped to his knees the moment he finally won The MastersCredit: Getty
McIlroy achieved a lifelong dream in April by winning at Augusta National after years of agonising heartbreak.
The 36-year-old, who had not won a major for 11 years, finally became the sixth golfer in history to complete the career grand slam.
It triggered an outpouring of raw emotion on the 18th green as the Northern Irishman sealed his place in golfing immortality, having threatened to throw it away multiple times.
He was in tears as previous champion Scottie Scheffler placed the iconic green jacket on his shoulders in the Butler Cabin.
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But months later, McIlroy admitted that even one of sport’s greatest novelties can wear off.
Speaking at CNBC’s Council Forum, McIlroy said: “I was in India a few weeks ago and I was in the Middle East the last two weeks, and most places you go, if you’re doing events, the people want to see the green jacket.
“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 sort of complained about wearing it in Abu Dhabi.”
‘Punch me or do something’
An ever-self-reflective McIlroy quickly realised that he was taking everything he ever wanted for granted.
After all, Masters champions only get to keep the green jacket for one year before being forced to store it on the grounds of Augusta National.
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McIlroy grew tired of being asked to don the green jacket, despite dreaming about it for eternityCredit: Getty
He continued: “I said to my wife, Erica, if you ever hear me complain about wearing this thing again, like punch me or do something.
“Because I’ve waited my whole life to wear this, and I’m complaining about wearing it.”
In recent months, McIlroy has been seen posing in the green jacket at Northern Ireland’s iconic Giant’s Causeway, while wearing it alongside Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar at a public function.
Indeed, the privileges of being a Masters champion extend way beyond the $4.2million pay cheque.
McIlroy can play in the Masters for the rest of his life and attend the famous Champions’ Dinner, which he will host in 2026, every year.
As well as being an honorary member of Augusta National, he can now enter the highly-exclusive Champions’ Locker Room.
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McIlroy has asked his wife to remind him never to complain about being the Masters championCredit: Getty
Speaking in August, McIlroy said reminiscing on the victory in a promotional campaign with Augusta National brought him to tears.
He told reporters: “I actually did a couple of things for Augusta National this week.
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“I didn’t go there but there’s a couple of things I had to do. I had the green jacket on for a few hours on Wednesday doing something.
“It was nice to reminisce. They made me cry again.”