After completing his career Grand Slam at Augusta, Rory McIlroy has already set his sights on his next Major target. The Northern Irishman has made it clear that he would like to win the U.S. Open again.
McIlroy spoke about his goal during an appearance on the Five Clubs podcast with Gary Williams. He explained that while he won the U.S. Open in 2011 at Congressional Country Club, the conditions that week did not feel like a typical U.S. Open setup.
“I won a US Open very early on in my career. That in all honesty felt more like a PGA championship in the way the setup was… I would love to win a US Open in what we would consider typical US Open conditions,” McIlroy said.
McIlroy added that coming close in recent years has only increased his motivation. He mentioned his close finishes at Los Angeles Country Club and Pinehurst as signs that he can compete on tougher courses. He also said he is looking forward to playing at Shinnecock Hills, which he called one of his favorite golf courses.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Open was held at Oakmont Country Club, where JJ Spaun won the title. Spaun was the only player to finish under par, while McIlroy ended the tournament tied for 19th at seven over.
Despite that result, Rory McIlroy has enjoyed a strong season overall. He has played 16 events so far, winning three times, finishing runner-up once, and recording eight top-10 finishes.
Rory McIlroy’s caddie made his Grand Slam win even more special
Rory McIlroy recently spoke about a thoughtful gesture from his caddie, Harry Diamond, that made his Masters win even more special.
While appearing on The Fried Egg’s Shotgun Start podcast, Rory McIlroy shared that Diamond surprised him with a unique gift during a stop in Australia. It was an Augusta National scorecard signed by the first five players to complete the career Grand Slam. Those names include Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. The gift came after McIlroy finally won the Masters and completed the Grand Slam himself.
“He brought me this with a Sharpie and said, ‘Do you want to sign it?’ And I said, ‘Absolutely not.’ And I said, ‘I just hope I don’t have to get Scottie to sign it next year,” McIlroy joked.
After @McIlroyRory won the Masters, his caddie and best friend, Harry Diamond, got him the rarest of gifts, one that only a Grand Slam winner could truly appreciate:
McIlroy was referring to Scottie Scheffler, who is now one U.S. Open title away from completing his own career Grand Slam after winning the PGA Championship and The Open in 2025.
Scheffler also finished ahead of McIlroy in the Player of the Year race. He won his fourth Jack Nicklaus Award, beating McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Ben Griffin. Earlier in the season, McIlroy and Scheffler were tied for third in the standings.