Career Grand Slam, major titles, Ryder Cup wins – Rory McIlroy has achieved what many dream of. Yet, he has new record-breaking goals.
What drives someone who has achieved it all?
Rory McIlroy completed the Career Grand Slam last year, a milestone most professionals never reach. Having won all four Majors at least once, countless titles on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, plus Ryder Cup victories, McIlroy’s resume reads like that of a player who has nothing left to prove.
This naturally raises the question: What remains when you have seemingly won everything? Are there still concrete goals for a player like McIlroy, or is he just playing out of habit?
He answers this himself: Even though he knows he could easily end his career with what he has achieved, he continually finds new incentives. New challenges, new dreams, new goals. And he is certain that once he ticks these off someday, new ones will automatically follow.
A historic milestone and unfulfilled dreams for Rory McIlroy
McIlroy has already clearly stated a goal deeply rooted in European golf history. He wants to surpass Colin Montgomerie and win more than his eight Harry Vardon Trophies. Currently, McIlroy stands at seven season wins. This goal is ambitious but absolutely realistic.
Moreover, classic dreams remain:
He still lacks an Olympic medal in his collection and a victory at the Open Championship in St. Andrews, arguably the most emotional venue in golf. The US Open also continues to entice him, especially when held at traditional, historic courses. Names like Shinnecock Hills, Winged Foot, Pebble Beach, or Merion make McIlroy’s eyes light up.
Success as a process, not a job
Remarkably openly, McIlroy discusses what has kept him performing at this level over the years. His recipe for success sounds simple yet is far from self-evident: \”You have to enjoy the process.\”
He means not the applause on Sunday or the winner’s interview but the often unseen hours alone on the range, endlessly repeating the same moves, training without an audience. That is where the joy must lie.
Today, he says he even spends more time on the golf course than in traditional training. He enjoys it because it does not feel like work to him. For that reason, he also allows himself to be selective: He wants to enter every tournament motivated and especially play where he truly desires