Rory McIlroy Finally Has His Green Jacket — Now He’s Hunting Three More Prizes

Rory McIlroy’s 17-year pursuit of a Masters title was often compared to Captain Ahab’s obsession with Moby Dick. The metaphor always felt ominous: Ahab’s quest ends with him tangled in his own harpoon line, dragged to the depths by the very whale he hunted.

McIlroy’s story, mercifully, ended much better.

On a spring Sunday at Augusta National, Scottie Scheffler helped slip a green jacket over McIlroy’s shoulders, completing not just a long-awaited Masters victory, but the career Grand Slam. Relief, joy and history all arrived at once.

And then came something unexpected: a void.

McIlroy admitted that after spending so many years fixated on Augusta — on that week, that tournament — he hadn’t given much thought to what would come next if he finally won. When asked at the U.S. Open in June about his five-year plan, he sounded uncharacteristically adrift.

“I don’t have one,” McIlroy said. “I have no idea. I’m sort of just taking it tournament by tournament at this point.”

That uncertainty showed up in his results. In his two starts before the U.S. Open, McIlroy missed the cut at the Canadian Open and finished T47 at the PGA Championship. His demeanor raised alarms, particularly for former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.

“It was very worrying,” McGinley said on Golf Channel. “His eyes weren’t alive. The energy was not there. It looks like something has gone out of him since the Grand Slam. This is not normal Rory.”

McGinley was right about one thing: a reset was coming.

It arrived in the second half of the season, when McIlroy reeled off six top-10 finishes, won the Irish Open and collected 3.5 points at the Ryder Cup. More importantly, his sense of purpose returned. McIlroy began talking openly about legacy — about majors, Ryder Cups and moments that endure.

This week in Dubai, he put shape to that future by naming three goals he still wants to accomplish before his career winds down.

Goal No. 1: Win an Olympic medal

Few ambitions reflect McIlroy’s evolution more clearly. When golf returned to the Olympics in 2016, he skipped the Games and said he wouldn’t even watch. By Tokyo in 2021, that attitude had flipped entirely. After losing a seven-man playoff for bronze, McIlroy admitted, “I never tried so hard in my life to finish third.”

The bug bit again in Paris in 2024, where he finished just two shots off the podium. Next comes Los Angeles in 2028, with Riviera hosting — a course McIlroy loves, even if he’s never won there. He’ll be nearly 40, deeply motivated, and well aware that Olympic chances don’t come often.

Goal No. 2: Win an Open Championship at St. Andrews

For McIlroy, St. Andrews remains unfinished business. He has played the Old Course only twice at The Open — finishing third both times — and missed the 2015 championship with an ankle injury. In 2022, he watched Cameron Smith pull away on Sunday, one of the most painful near-misses of his career.

With the Open scheduled to return to St. Andrews in 2027, McIlroy likely has three more realistic shots before time and odds begin to turn against him.

Goal No. 3: Win a U.S. Open at an “old, traditional” venue

McIlroy already owns a U.S. Open trophy — his 2011 runaway at Congressional — but that’s not quite what he means here. When he talks about “old” and “traditional,” he’s pointing to the sport’s cathedral venues: Shinnecock, Pebble Beach, Winged Foot, Merion.

The schedule works in his favor. Over the next decade, he’ll see multiple U.S. Opens at Pebble and Shinnecock, plus chances at Winged Foot, Merion, Oakmont and more. Opportunities won’t be scarce — only time will be.

And that’s the point.

“I would have told you two years ago, if I won the Masters, I could have retired,” McIlroy said. “But when you keep doing things, the goal posts keep moving.”

For Rory McIlroy, the whale has been slain. The chase, it turns out, is just beginning again.

Troon Selected to Manage World of Golf

Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, is pleased to announce it has been selected to manage World of Golf in Florence, Kentucky. Owned by the City of Florence, Indigo Sports, a Troon company, will oversee golf operations, agronomy, food and beverage, and sales and marketing at World of Golf.

World of Golf opened in 1969 as an 18-hole executive golf course designed by golf course architect Michael Hurdzan. Over the past 50-plus years, the facility has undergone various renovations and improvements.  Today, World of Golf is a comprehensive golf facility featuring the 18-hole, 2,997-yard, par-58 executive course, an indoor/outdoor driving range with Toptracer technology, mini-golf and multiple indoor Golfzon simulators. World of Golf caters to all skill levels, offering golf lessons, PGA junior camps, club fitting and year-round practice options. 

World of Golf’s restaurant, Tin Cup, features a menu of delicious items, including pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, a variety of appetizers, plus 20 beers on tap and a full bar. The facility also has multiple indoor event spaces, making it the perfect location for birthday parties, corporate meetings and banquets.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with the City of Florence to lead a first-class operation at World of Golf,” said Troon Vice President of Operations Nick Bednar, PGA. ““The facility’s unique amenities and welcoming atmosphere are perfect for seasoned and aspiring golfers alike, and we look forward to creating fun and memorable experiences for the local community for years to come.”

“World of Golf has been a treasured community asset in Florence for more than five decades, and we are excited to begin this next chapter with Troon and Indigo Sports,” said Florence Mayor Julie Aubuchon. “Their experience, operational expertise, and focus on guest experience position World of Golf for long-term success while preserving what makes this facility special to our residents. We look forward to continued investment, innovation, and a high-quality experience for golfers and visitors of all ages.”

For more information on World of Golf, visit www.worldgolfky.com or call (859) 371-8255.

Rory McIlroy: Pro Golf Reunification Is Unlikely — and LIV Stars Should Pay Ryder Cup Fines

Rory McIlroy says he no longer believes professional golf is headed toward reunification — and he thinks LIV Golf players who want Ryder Cup eligibility should accept the consequences that come with their decisions.

Speaking to reporters following the Dubai Desert Classic pro-am at Emirates Golf Club, McIlroy offered his most candid assessment yet of the fractured state of the men’s game. Nearly three years after the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s financiers announced a framework agreement, McIlroy admitted he struggles to envision a future where the rival circuits truly come back together.

“I think it matters; I’d say that’s Solution A,” McIlroy said when asked whether reunification still holds importance. “But I just don’t see a world where it can happen at this point.”

According to the reigning Masters champion, the gulf between the various tours has simply grown too wide.

“I don’t see a scenario where two or three sides give up enough,” McIlroy said. “For reunification to happen, every side would feel like they lost — and ideally, everyone should feel like they won. I just think they’re too far apart now.”

McIlroy suggested LIV Golf and other emerging tours have survived the most turbulent phase of the split, even as player movement continues. LIV has added names like Thomas Detry and Ben An, while Brooks Koepka recently returned to the PGA Tour under CEO Brian Rolapp’s new Returning Member Program.

While full reunification feels unrealistic to McIlroy, he did outline a middle ground: more frequent opportunities for fans to see the best players compete against one another. For the first time, he put a number on it.

“In my opinion, golf would be better served if the best players in the world played together more often,” McIlroy said. “Right now, that really only happens at the majors. I’d like to see it be closer to 10 times a year instead of four.”

Currently, those shared stages are largely limited to the four major championships and select DP World Tour events — with the Ryder Cup remaining another key intersection point. But that biennial event has become complicated for Europe, particularly regarding Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.

Both players joined LIV Golf in 2024 and have since accumulated significant fines for competing in events that conflict with DP World Tour regulations. Tour officials confirmed that the combined penalties total several million dollars. While both players appealed the sanctions — allowing them to continue playing DP World Tour events in the interim — uncertainty lingers over their Ryder Cup eligibility.

Asked whether the situation could be resolved simply by paying the fines, McIlroy didn’t hesitate.

“Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “That’s my opinion. We went really hard on the Americans about not being paid to play the Ryder Cup, and we said we would pay to play Ryder Cups. There are two guys who can prove it.”

McIlroy also defended the DP World Tour’s stance, calling the sanctions fair and consistent.

“Any members’ organization has the right to uphold its rules and regulations,” he said. “We all sign a document every year agreeing to those rules. The players who chose LIV knew exactly what they were signing up for.”

Beyond the politics of golf’s divide, McIlroy also reflected on his own career as he begins his 2026 season in Dubai. Coming off what many consider the greatest year of his career — including victories at Pebble Beach, The Players Championship, the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam, the Irish Open and the Ryder Cup — the World No. 2 is now focused on sustaining motivation.

“I need to show up with enthusiasm every single time,” McIlroy said. “Not because I’m obligated to be somewhere, but because I want to be there.”

After two decades of competing in Dubai, McIlroy admitted the grind can wear thin — but he’s rediscovered joy by simplifying his relationship with the game.

“I’ve found more joy in actually playing golf,” he said. “I spend more time on the course now than on the range. After 20 years, that makes all the difference.”

David McLay Kidd Unveils Plans for River Ranch Golf Resort

River Ranch Golf Resort, a new destination set atop the bluffs of the Snake River near Pasco, Wash., today announced plans for its first golf course designed by world-renowned architect and Pacific Northwest resident David McLay Kidd.

River Ranch Golf Resort brings together golf, land and hospitality in a setting shaped by ancient floods, a historic river corridor and decades of careful stewardship. The course draws directly from the dramatic Snake River landscape, prevailing winds and natural topography to create a strategic and compelling golf experience that feels inseparable from the land itself.

“I’ve been so fortunate to get to create courses on spectacular land throughout my career…from Bandon Dunes to the latest addition at Streamsong. The older I get, the choosier I become. With probably more courses behind me than ahead, I look even harder for those unique sites and opportunities. When I first set foot on the site for River Ranch, I knew I’d found another unicorn!” said David McLay Kidd. “Set high on a bluff overlooking the last reaches of the Snake River before it joins the Columbia, this site has breathtaking views, great contour as well as sand on which to plant my favorite grass, fescue. That fescue will give the firm, fast bounce and roll that makes golf the game we Scots intended.”

Hear more about what this project means to David McLay Kidd and the owners in this video that was shown during an announcement at the 2026 PGA Show in Orlando, Fla.

River Ranch Golf Resort is the vision of a locally rooted ownership group—individuals who grew up on the Snake River boating, exploring and developing a deep connection to the land. Through a shared passion for golf, architecture and place, their paths converged to bring River Ranch Golf Resort to life.

The resort will welcome traveling golfers and overnight guests, featuring guest cottages, an integrated real estate offering and a world-class clubhouse overlooking the Snake River. The course is expected to open to the public in August 2027, with members receiving preview access prior to public opening.

Additional details will be released as development progresses. River Ranch Golf Resort will be managed by KemperSports, who manages more top 100 courses, clubs and resorts than any other management company.

For more information on River Ranch Golf Resort, visit www.riverranchgolf.com.

Champion Hills Ranked No. 47 on Golfweek’s List of America’s Top 200 Residential Courses

Champion Hills, the acclaimed Tom Fazio-designed private club nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, has been ranked No. 47 on Golfweek’s 2026 list of America’s Top 200 Residential Golf Courses, reaffirming its status as one of the nation’s premier mountain golf communities.

The ranking also positions Champion Hills as North Carolina’s highest-ranked year-round residential course, a distinction that reflects both the enduring quality of Fazio’s design and the club’s ability to deliver championship-caliber golf across all four seasons.

Often described as Tom Fazio’s mountain masterpiece, Champion Hills features dramatic elevation changes, strategic shot values, and holes carved naturally into the area’s native landscape. Routed through hardwood forests and rolling mountain terrain, the course offers sweeping views, constant variety, and an intimate connection to its surroundings.

“Champion Hills is a place where great design and a great member experience go hand in hand,” said Heather Myers, the club’s director of membership and marketing. “Tom Fazio’s layout is perfectly suited to the mountains, and our staff takes great pride in creating an environment our members truly enjoy. While our primary focus at Champion Hills is on our members’ experience, it’s very gratifying to earn this type of national recognition.”

Golfweek’s rankings are compiled by a panel of hundreds of experienced raters who evaluate courses based on design integrity, memorability, conditioning, variety, and overall playing experience. Champion Hills’ consistent presence near the top of state and national rankings reflects its reputation among both members and golf course raters as one of America’s premier private communities.

Located just minutes from downtown Hendersonville and less than 30 minutes from Asheville, Champion Hills combines world-class golf with a commitment to an active lifestyle. The club’s residential community is known for its welcoming atmosphere, walkable neighborhoods, and access to hiking, racquet sports, dining, arts, and outdoor recreation, all without sacrificing year-round playability.

With its latest Golfweek ranking, Champion Hills continues to serve as a benchmark for residential golf in the Carolinas and beyond, as the timeless Tom Fazio design remains as compelling today as when it first opened.

For more information or to schedule a tour, visit www.ChampionHills.com or call (828) 696-1962.

Is the Golf Ball Rollback Losing Momentum? USGA, R&A Reconsider Timeline

The long-anticipated golf ball rollback may no longer be arriving as soon as expected.

In a notice sent to golf ball manufacturers, the USGA and R&A revealed they are reconsidering the current timeline for implementing changes designed to curb how far elite players hit the ball. The governing bodies are now soliciting feedback on whether to abandon their previously announced two-phase rollout in favor of a single implementation date across the entire game.

Under the original plan, a revised golf ball conformance test—intended to reduce elite-level driving distance by 15 yards or more—would take effect in 2028 for top-level competitions, including the PGA Tour. Recreational golfers would have followed two years later, in 2030.

Now, however, the USGA and R&A say they are open to delaying the rule for elite players and instead introducing the rollback universally beginning in January 2030.

“The Governing Bodies adopted this phased approach in response to contributions made during the decision-making process,” the notice states. “However, during subsequent engagement with stakeholders, concerns have been raised regarding the challenges associated with a two-phase implementation.”

Those concerns center on confusion, enforcement issues, and the burden placed on club professionals, retailers, and everyday golfers navigating two sets of equipment standards over a multi-year period.

Feedback on the proposed change is due by Feb. 15, signaling that a decision could come quickly. That timeline matters, particularly for manufacturers, as the development cycle for premium golf balls often spans multiple years.

The possibility of a delay marks a notable shift in tone from the USGA’s leadership. Speaking during last year’s U.S. Open, CEO Mike Whan appeared resolute about the governing bodies’ direction.

“We’re full speed ahead on what we’ve announced,” Whan said at the time. “Those decisions have been made.”

The rollback proposal, first announced in December 2023 after years of study and industry consultation, would increase the swing speed used in golf ball testing from 120 mph to 125 mph. Balls would need to meet the new standard by late 2027 to remain conforming, with mandatory use initially planned for elite competition in 2028.

The staggered rollout drew criticism from some corners of the industry, including PGA professionals tasked with enforcement. Former PGA of America president John Lindert warned that golfers would simply stockpile older balls, creating long-term compliance issues. Former PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague added that club professionals would be unfairly burdened with policing ball conformity during rounds.

Manufacturers, meanwhile, are watching closely. Bridgestone Golf CEO Dan Murphy confirmed his company had been informed of the potential shift but emphasized the need for clarity. Other major ball makers declined immediate comment.

Complicating the debate is the continued surge in driving distance at the professional level. Average driving distance on the PGA Tour climbed to a record 302.8 yards in 2025, nearly nine yards longer than in 2019. Average swing speed has also increased sharply, with more than 40 players now averaging over 120 mph off the tee.

That trend has led some players to question whether delaying the rollback would blunt its impact. Rory McIlroy voiced that concern last year, suggesting that by the time the new balls arrive, gains in swing speed and optimization could offset much of the intended distance reduction.

With elite performance continuing to evolve and stakeholders divided on implementation, the future of the golf ball rollback—and its timing—remains uncertain.

XXIO Casts Sports Broadcaster Charissa Thompson as Latest Brand Ambassador

XXIO, a global leader in premium lightweight golf equipment, proudly announces television host and sports broadcaster Charissa Thompson as the brand’s newest ambassador. Known for her charisma, quick wit, and passion for sports, Thompson will bring her signature energy to XXIO’s upcoming campaigns, including the all-new XXIO 14 Ladies product line.

I’m excited to be able to partner with a brand that makes golf feel more approachable and enjoyable for women. XXIO clubs have this effortless performance about them that give golfers like me the confidence I need from the first swing. That’s something I’m excited to share with my community and especially women who are looking for clubs that make the game easier and more fun. -Charissa Thompson, XXIO Brand Ambassador

A seasoned broadcaster and one of the most recognizable female voices in sports media, Thompson has spent nearly two decades covering everything from college football, basketball, and the NFL’s biggest moments. After graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2004, Thompson began her career with on-air roles with the Big Ten Network and Fox Sports Net where she developed her skills as a sideline reporter and studio host.

In 2010, she joined ESPN, where she appeared as a host on several flagship programs before returning to Fox Sports in 2013. Since then, Thompson has been a mainstay across the network’s programming. In 2022, she joined the NFL’s expansion into streaming services by hosting Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video, where she appears alongside four former NFL players.

Off the air, Thompson co-hosts the popular podcast ‘Calm Down with Erin and Charissa,’ offering an unfiltered and entertaining look at sports, pop culture, and personal life experiences, highlighting her blend of honesty and humor. With a combined social media following of more than one million across her channels, Thompson continues to influence fans on and off the sidelines.

Thompson’s partnership with XXIO will come to life through ‘Play Easy’, the brand’s main digital campaign designed specifically for the modern female golfer. Play Easy reimagines golf as a sophisticated yet approachable lifestyle, one rooted in confidence, connection, and enjoyment both on and off the course. Through inspiring digital and social storytelling, the campaign celebrates women finding their rhythm, their joy, and their place in the game with equipment designed to work naturally with their swing.

Play Easy with Charissa Thompson

As a leading voice within Play Easy, Thompson will help welcome more women into golf by showcasing how XXIO blends effortless performance, modern design, and a supportive community to make every round feel easy, memorable, and uniquely theirs.

Charissa brings an energy and authenticity that resonates with women both on and off the course, which makes her the perfect partner as we introduce our most expansive XXIO Ladies lineup ever. She embodies the positivity, inclusivity, and confidence we want women to feel in their game and we're thrilled to welcome her to the team. -Noelle Zavaleta, XXIO Media & Communications Director

To see all upcoming content with Charissa Thompson, follow XXIO on social media, and to learn more about the XXIO 14 Ladies line of clubs, visit us.dunlopsports.com/xxio.