McIlroy Sounds Warning Shot After Joining Golf Immortality with Second Masters Win

Rory McIlroy has warned his rivals that he is far from finished at the top of professional golf, declaring his desire to win more major championships after successfully defending his Masters title at Augusta National.

It was nearly 11pm when McIlroy finally emerged from Augusta National's Grill Room, still wearing the Green Jacket he had reclaimed just hours earlier. Four hours of presentations, interviews and obliging handshakes with club members had not dimmed his grin. When he tapped in to seal his second consecutive Masters victory, he became only the fourth man in history to retain the title at Augusta — and he made clear he intends to add to that tally before he is done.

Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National, had the honour of placing the jacket back on McIlroy's shoulders — a moment the Northern Irishman had to prompt with a bit of rehearsal. "He'd never done it before," McIlroy told BBC Sport. "We had to practise it before we went into Butler Cabin because he'd never done it before. That was the goal this week when I drove down Magnolia Lane with the Green Jacket. I wanted to drive back up leaving with it again because I've got used to seeing it in my wardrobe."

Twelve months on from the emotional triumph that completed his career Grand Slam at the 11th major attempt, this victory moved McIlroy alongside Nick Faldo on six major titles — making him Europe's most prolific winner of the modern era's biggest events. But the 36-year-old insists this feels different.

"Last year was the culmination of trying to win the Grand Slam and win the Masters for the first time — win my first major in 10 years," he said. "It was all of it together. This is my second Green Jacket. It's very cool, but I really don't think I'm going to have the lull or whatever it was I had last year."

Over the four days at Augusta, McIlroy built a six-stroke advantage at halfway without playing his best golf, then showed a freedom and comfort in the heat of battle that had eluded him during his long pursuit of the career Grand Slam. He outlasted Cameron Young, the gallant Justin Rose and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler — all of whom mounted serious challenges on the back nine on Sunday.

"I definitely felt more comfortable in the battle this year on the back nine than last year," McIlroy reflected. "It is a want more than a need. I want to win the biggest tournaments in the world. I want to win Ryder Cups. I want to win majors. At this point in my career, that is what drives me forward."

With the US PGA Championship at Aronimink coming next month, McIlroy will take a fortnight to enjoy this victory before returning to action. Based on the evidence of the past week, the rest of the golfing world should be very afraid.