RORY MCILROY'S COMMENT TO SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER BROUGHT UP WITH STARK DIFFERENCE IN BEHAVIOUR

Rory McIlroy has impressed Augusta National members with his exemplary conduct as Masters champion. McIlroy finally secured a Green Jacket last year, defeating Justin Rose in a dramatic play-off down 18.

The Northern Irishman waited 11 years to claim another major and complete the Grand Slam, and it appears he hasn't taken that achievement for granted. The 36-year-old has gone the extra mile in setting a standard as Masters champion, showcasing his Green Jacket around the globe and attending events such as the Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA) and the Drive, Chip and Putt contest just days before this year's major.

McIlroy also collaborated with Augusta National to release a 53-minute YouTube video documenting every one of his shots from his final round, which was uploaded to the Masters official account. He's also played a round with Fred Ridley and took his father out on the course on Sunday.

These gestures have all left Augusta National members impressed. Speaking on the Fried Egg podcast, eight-time PGA Tour winner Brad Faxon opened up on the Ulsterman's impact. "I think we could see a freedom in Rory like we've never seen before," he said.

"He's embraced this role as the champion, as the defending champion. Members of the club, Fred Ridley, have said there's nobody that's done more for Augusta National than what Rory has done. He's taken that jacket around the world, literally, to Australia, India, back to Ireland.

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"He's had a documentary made on the Grand Slam and the Masters win. He knows the history of the game. His recall, his memory, I don't think there's a player out there who knows what Rory does about the game. He understands and he embraces tradition.

"Do you remember what he said to Scottie when Scottie was putting the coat on him finally, in the presentation? Rory says, 'I want to put this on myself next year.' I thought that was one of the great lines.

"I don't know if they didn't hear it or they didn't think it was funny, I thought it was hysterical. Here's the difference between Rory and Scottie, total respect to both of them, when Rory won last year, he went to the press and spent longer than anybody has ever spent.

"He did single interviews with other people afterwards that he's known for years. He went into the members' room in the clubhouse and had his family with him and his team with him and didn't want to leave.

"And he's been up multiple times this week, he's played with the chairman, Fred, who actually played the back tees with him. He's going to go up this week and watch the final nine holes for the ANWA. That's not something other champs would do.

"He's going to hand out trophies and shake hands for the Drive, Chip and Putt. He's got his dad coming up to play a practice round with him on Sunday.

"I can't tell you how meaningful this is for him. He might set a record off that first tee for fastest ball speed, highest clubhead speed of any player that's ever played."

2026-04-08T08:13:35Z