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.
Spain’s Jon Rahm finished tied 45th on his return after winning in 2023, later admitting he struggled to “adjust” with the demands of “a lot going on”.
“If you’ve won the Masters, especially for Rory, it really is a dream come true. So you’re happy to go back there and I don’t think the additional commitments are ever a distraction,” said Brown.
“Rory has done everything he set out to do in his career, but there are always more goals. Now he wants to defend it.
“As a professional sportsman, you’re always striving for the next win. What can I improve to take me to the next level?
“Golf’s particularly difficult because one week you’re a champion, the next minute you’re a chicken. You can’t take your foot off the gas.”
McIlroy’s form going into the season-opening major provides little indication about his chances.
Three top-10 finishes in his opening four events of 2026 bode well, before a back injury forced his withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The muscular strain improved sufficiently for him to compete at the PGA Tour’s flagship Players Championship three weeks ago and there is no suggestion that he is bothered by the problem at Augusta – which is notoriously physically taxing.
More pertinent to McIlroy’s hopes of defending is the trust he has gained in his tactical ability.
“Augusta over the years has made me quite tentative at times, especially with approach play,” McIlroy said.
“By becoming a better putter, by working on my short game and becoming better around the greens, that probably allowed me to become more aggressive with my approach play.
“I think that’s been a big part of the reason why I’ve now eventually won there, but why my play has got better there over the years.”
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.
