Rory McIlroy Aims for Consecutive Masters Titles After 2025 Triumph

"...Finally landing the Masters last year, becoming only the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam, provides an intrinsic value which the 36-year-old from Northern Ireland has long been searching for...."

"...Freedom. The freedom to play uninhibited at the sport's most iconic tournament, no longer weighed down by hope, expectation and history...."

"...Liberating himself from pursuing the one prize which he really wanted - needed, perhaps - was something McIlroy recognised in the immediate aftermath of his crowning golfing glory when he said he felt "freed up"...."

"...The theory was he would no longer be tied down by the burden of his own expectation and quickly produce more major victories now his 11-year fallow period had finally ended...."

"...McIlroy confidently claimed four majors between 2011 and 2014, marking him out as a generational talent who would likely claim plenty more...."

"...The next decade was characterised by a series of near misses - until learning to deal with what he called golfing "heartbreak" lifted the shackles 12 months ago...."

"...Removing that monkey off his back has not led to an immediate flurry of more wins...."

"...An emotional Open homecoming at Portrush in July was a moment to savour, even though he was unable to get his hands on the Claret Jug in a seventh-place finish...."

"...And so, following a nine-month break from the majors, it is back to Augusta for the last leg of a Masters victory lap which he wants to never end...."

"...Nobody can predict whether McIlroy will be victorious at Augusta again, either this week or in the future...."

"...We can be certain that winning back-to-back Masters would be another remarkable feat. History tells us so...."

"...Lapping up the pomp as Masters champion is what every golfers wants, but it also comes with more interviews, more presentations and - potentially - more distractions...."

"...McIlroy's form going into the season-opening major provides little indication about his chances...."

"...Therefore, it seems the more pertinent factor in McIlroy's hopes this week is the trust he has gained in his tactical ability...."

"...McIlroy feels the Masters is the major where he could potentially end his career with the most success...."

"...Becoming a multiple champion this week, and a rare back-to-back winner, would be another golfing mountain which he has managed to scale...."