RELAXED Rory McIlroy can now properly enjoy a Masters week – and is finally free to play his brilliant best at Augusta.
Legendary coach Butch Harmon admitted even he was nervous on commentary as McIlroy eventually got over the line and completed the career Grand Slam last April.
A rollercoaster Sunday typically featured the sublime and the ridiculous in a final round that epitomised McIlroy’s whole career before he drained his 3ft putt to beat Justin Rose in the play-off.
McIlroy sank to his knees and sobbed on the 18th green as the emotion of 14 years of agonising Augusta heartache came uncontrollably pouring out.
It looked as though a weight had physically been lifted from his shoulders and the sheer relief on his beaming face when Scottie Scheffler presented the green jacket was blatant.
And Harmon reckons McIlroy, 36, will bask in the freedom of being the defending champion.
Tiger Woods’ former coach, 82, said: “Normally I would say there would be more pressure on him with a chance to defend his title.
“But he’s got it off his back that he is a Masters champion. Last year, he pulled it off in phenomenal fashion.
“He can walk around in his green jacket all day long and he’s going to love every minute of that, I guarantee.
“So because he won last year, I don’t think he’s going to be as uptight.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
“We’re going to see a more relaxed Rory this year, a Rory that doesn’t need to put the pressure on himself that he has been to try and win this thing and get the Grand Slam.
“So I think it’s going to be to his advantage and he’ll be able to play to the best of his ability.”
Only three men have successfully defended the Masters: Jack Nicklaus in 1966, Nick Faldo in 1990 and Woods in 2002.
But arguably, after his 2025 heroics, McIlroy’s greatest pressure this week comes from delivering a successful champions’ dinner tomorrow [Tues] evening.
McIlroy’s menu includes elk sliders, wagyu filet mignon, sticky toffee pudding and a £1,000-a-bottle 1990 Bordeaux red wine.
Sky Sports expert Harmon added: “He’s the doggone happy to be there and doesn’t give a damn what anyone else says, he’s got his green jacket.
“His menu looks pretty good. I think everybody will enjoy it.
“Most people don’t realise the champion pays for the dinner and so the wine he serves, which I’m sure he will try and impress people with a high-dollar one, can get pretty pricey.
“But we could ask anyone who’s not won a Masters and say it’s going to be a hell of a big bill for dinner and he would say, ‘Please bring it on. Give me the check. That means I’ve got my green jacket on.’”
Naturally, world No2 McIlroy has to be in the favourites conversation alongside two-time winner and dominant No1 Scottie Scheffler.
But Harmon thinks 2026 could be the time of the English once more, specifically an English Rose.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Faldo’s third triumph in 1996 and, a decade ago, Danny Willett was the 2016 winner.
Harmon continued: “I think the obvious favourites are Rory and Scheffler but the one I would look at, who is playing his 21st Masters, is three-time runner-up Justin Rose.
“He took Torrey Pines apart to win easily, he has gained distance with his driver, is playing with tremendous confidence and has a good track record at Augusta.
“Coming into Augusta, Matt Fitzpatrick is definitely on form.
“He has the game, the ability to win there. If he relaxes, which is hard to do, he’ll give himself a chance.
“If Tommy Fleetwood can putt well, he’s going to be one of the favourites.
“But if I had to pick someone to win other than the obvious ones, Justin’s the one I would pick.”
