Rory McIlroy has jokingly instructed his wife Erica to “punch him” should he ever complain again about wearing his Masters green jacket.
McIlroy, 36, made the quip about golf’s most famous item of clothing during CNBC’s CEO Council Forum in Palm Beach Gardens.
The Northern Irishman has enjoyed the golf year of his life with four wins on the season, highlighted by becoming the sixth player to complete the career grand slam at The Masters in April.
He then helped Europe win the Ryder Cup away from home, before going on to wrap up the seventh Race to Dubai title of his career, a result that moves him one season-long race away from matching the all-time European Tour record set by Colin Montgomerie.
In recent DP World Tour appearances, the Holywood star had surprisingly mentioned to growing weary of donning his green jacket too much at functions around the world.
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Only now, he regrets such a sentiment.
In fact he even sounds happy for his wife Erica to land a right hook should he ever moan about wearing his pride and joy again in public.
“I sort of complained about wearing it in Abu Dhabi, and 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,” said McIlroy, who still sheds a tear when watching back footage of him sinking to his knees once defeating Justin Rose with a birdie at the first extra hole at Augusta National.
“If I watch that final scene on the 18th green and I drop to my knees, it’s still hard for me not to cry.”
McIlroy added: “Honestly, like I’ve dreamt about that moment for so long, and it lived up to everything I thought it would be, and more.”
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McIlroy with daughter Poppy and wife Erica
McIlroy wearing his pride and joy at The Masters
McIlroy also reflected on the unexpected aftermath of reaching his lifelong goal: “If you want something for so long and so badly, and you end up doing it, you dream about doing it, but you don’t dream about what comes next.”
He recently admitted to snapping up every flag remaining in the Augusta merchandise shop.
McIlroy wanted every flag in the Masters store
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The World No.2 will conclude his 2025 campaign with a first trip Down Under since 2014 at next week’s Crown Australian Open at famed Royal Melbourne, one of the best golf courses in Australia.
The five-time major champion will start a red-hot favourite to win the Australian Open, which he won at Royal Sydney Golf Club in 2013.
The Crown Australian Open marks the second event of the 2026 DP World Tour season, which gets underway at the BMW Australian PGA at Royal Queensland Golf Club this week where Tiger Woods’ legendary former caddie is making a shock appearance.
McIlroy’s TGL team confirmed a new signing earlier this week.
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