The Masters: McIlroy 'much more relaxed' heading to Augusta as defending champion

Rory McIlroy revealed he is "so much more relaxed" heading into The Masters this year following his triumph at Augusta National last year.

After defeating Justin Rose in a play-off in 2025, McIlroy became just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, after Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

He became the first European player to achieve the feat, while he also won the Players Championship, Irish Open and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last year.

The 36-year-old capped a brilliant season with a memorable victory with Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, where they won on foreign soil for the first time since 2012.

McIlroy has been grouped alongside last month's Players winner Cameron Young and US Amateur champion Mason

Howell for the first two rounds of his title defence at The Masters.

Ahead of the 90th edition of the tournament, McIlroy explained how his mindset has changed after finally winning the competition.

"I think for the past 17 years, I could not wait for the tournament to start. And this year, I wouldn't care if the tournament never started!" joked McIlroy.

"It's completely different. I just feel so much more relaxed, knowing that I'm going to be coming back here for a lot of years, getting to enjoy the perks that the champions get here.

"And that doesn't make me any less motivated to play well and try to win the tournament, but I'm just more relaxed about it all.

"I feel comfortable on the golf course, feel comfortable with my game. It's been a good three weeks at home, getting ready physically and mentally - just trying to prepare for everything that this week is going to throw at me. "

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And when asked which major he has the best chance of winning this year, McIlroy responded: "I think it's this one.

"The other major venues, we don't go back to the same place every year.

"When you've had the experiences that I've had around here, good and bad, I think that can stand you in good stead.

"I feel like I'm still young, but I'm very experienced - I've been doing this for a long time.

"This is my 18th start here; I feel like I've got another, hopefully, 10 good shots of winning this. Not that I don't at the other majors, but I just think that everything here is a little more predictable.

"And I just think the more experience you have around this golf course, the better it is. "