"Hopefully there'll be a mind shift change on Wednesday" - McIlroy enjoying perks of Masters defence
Achiraya Sriwong of Thailand, left, Masters Champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, centre, and Prim Prachnakorn of Thailand, right, during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club, Saturday, April 04, 2026.
Rory McIlroy was reluctant to admit he's “basking” in the glory of his Masters win, but he hopes he can enjoy a "mind shift” and be ready for his title defence come Wednesday night.
The Holywood star watched the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur yesterday and got a swift reminder of the disasters that await around Amen Corner as 36-hole leader Asterisk Talley (17) made a quadruple bogey seven at the par-three 12th and shot 75 to finish six shots behind the winner, Colombia’s Maria Jose Marin.
One of the perks of winning the Masters is that McIlroy can take his father, Gerry, out for a round at Augusta today before catching the end of the Drive, Chip and Putt contest.
He’ll have three more days to practice as he bids to become just the fourth man after Jack Nicklaus (1965–1966), Nick Faldo (1989–1990), and Tiger Woods (2001–2002) to successfully defend the title.
But it won’t be until after he hosts the Masters Club Dinner on Tuesday and plays the Par-3 on Wednesday that he will truly get a chance to put on his game face.
“Yeah, it's amazing,” McIlroy said yesterday, dressed in his green jacket. “The atmosphere is incredible. Coming back here after doing what I did last year, it's nice to spend a little extra time.
“I get to play golf here with my dad tomorrow, which will be a really cool experience for both of us. And, I've watched the ANWA every year since it was started, and I feel like it's a really cool kickoff to the entire week here at Augusta National.”
After winning the Masters at the 17th attempt to end a near 11-year Major drought last year, McIlroy plans to enjoy his title defence.
“Yeah, look, I think the first few days, it is all about enjoying — I don't want to say basking in but enjoying what I did last year,” he said.
“Enjoying the perks, being able to play with my dad tomorrow, and being able to go to the dinner on Tuesday night.
“But I think once Tuesday night's over, you know, serious business begins. Obviously, we're going to have fun at the Par-3 with Poppy and Erica and all that.
“But I think there will hopefully be a mind shift change on Wednesday where I'm really, like, just focused on the tournament and, trying to, trying to win another Masters.
“Yeah, it's a dream come true. I've gotten up here quite a bit over the last few weeks, and I know this is just my first year coming back and doing it all in the green jacket, but I'm pretty sure it won’t get old.”
As McIlroy enjoys Augusta National, Leona Maguire will be in Las Vegas looking to chase down Lauren Coughlin in the $4m Aramco Championship at Shadow Creek.
She’s one of only five players in red figures after three rounds, carding a two-over 74 to sit alone in fifth on one-under, six shots off the lead.
Coughlin shot 73 but leads by two strokes on seven-under par from Nelly Korda, who shot 69, and by four from Japan’s Miyu Yamashita and Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen.
“Shadow definitely showed its colours the last couple of days,” said Korda, who beat Maguire 4&3 in the T-Mobile Match Play final at Shadow Creek in 2024.
“It’s been playing brutally hard, just especially the back nine.”
Elm Park’s Anna Foster and The Island’s new touring professional, Lauren Walsh, suffered in round three.
Foster shot 79 to share 51st on 11-over with Walsh 71st on 14-over after carding a second successive 80.
At the weather-delayed Valero Texas Open, Masters-bound Robert MacIntyre and Ludvig Aberg face a marathon final day at TPC San Antonio today.
Third round play was suspended by thunderstorms just before midday, with MacIntyre just two strokes clear of Ryder Cup teammate Aberg on 15-under through six holes.
Play did not resume and officials will restart at 7:45 a.m. local time today.
There’s a lot at stake as Matt Wallace (T3/-11), Ryo Hisatsune (T3/-11), Chris Kirk (T5/-10), Chandler Phillips (T5/-10) and Tony Finau (T5/-10) are chasing the last spot in the Masters Tournament awarded to the winner.
