3<\/p>\n McIlroy dropped to his knees the moment he finally won The MastersCredit: Getty<\/p>\n McIlroy achieved a lifelong dream in April by winning at Augusta National<\/a> after years of agonising heartbreak. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n He was in tears as previous champion Scottie Scheffler<\/a> placed the iconic green jacket on his shoulders in the Butler Cabin. <\/p>\n READ MORE ON TALKSPORT<\/p>\n But months later, McIlroy admitted<\/a> that even one of sport’s greatest novelties can wear off. <\/p>\n Speaking at\u00a0CNBC’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.<\/p>\n “So you bring the green jacket with you, and sometimes, you don’t want to wear it, you know. You don’t want to. <\/p>\n “I sort of complained about wearing it in Abu Dhabi.”<\/p>\n ‘Punch me or do something’<\/p>\n An ever-self-reflective McIlroy quickly realised that he was taking everything he ever wanted for granted. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n McIlroy grew tired of being asked to don the green jacket, despite dreaming about it for eternityCredit: Getty<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “Because I’ve waited my whole life to wear this, and I’m complaining about wearing it.”<\/p>\n In recent months, McIlroy has been seen posing in the green jacket at Northern Ireland’s iconic Giant’s Causeway<\/a>, while wearing it alongside Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar at a public function. <\/p>\n Indeed, the privileges of being a Masters champion extend way beyond the $4.2million pay cheque. <\/p>\n McIlroy can play in the Masters<\/a> for the rest of his life and attend the famous Champions’ Dinner, which he will host in 2026, every year. <\/p>\n As well as being an honorary member of Augusta National, he can now enter the highly-exclusive Champions’ Locker Room. <\/p>\n![\"McIlroy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025-masters-tournament-playoff-hole-987072055.jpg\")
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