Rory McIlroy hints return to Jack's place could be on the horizon

Rory McIlroy has opened up about the iconic golf courses he wants to conquer before he hangs up his clubs for good. 

The Northern Irishman, 36, is currently in California making his first start on the PGA Tour in 2026 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

McIlroy, the defending champion, has work to do over the weekend if he is to catch leaders Akshay Bhatia and the in-form Ryo Hisatsune.

He carded a five-under 67 on Friday and is six shots adrift of the lead. 

Twelve months ago, McIlroy described Pebble Beach as a "cathedral of golf" and, after finally securing a career-defining victory at The Masters, revealed plans to target more legendary venues before retirement. 

After Friday's second round, McIlroy revealed what courses are top of the list. 

"There's places I haven't won that I would love to, St. Andrews being one of them," McIlroy said. 

McIlroy famously shared the 54-hole lead at the landmark 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022, but came up short in his bid to claim his second Claret Jug. 

Cameron Smith was crowned the champion golfer of the year and McIlroy was left crestfallen after another near miss. 

This year's Open will be played at Royal Birkdale but will return to the home of golf in 2027. 

"Riviera next week would be another. Muirfield. I mean, Riviera and Muirfield Village are two but more so because, I mean, they're wonderful golf courses but [also because of] who hosts the events as well. 

"You know, Tiger and Jack. I was able to win Bay Hill but not while Arnie [Palmer] was around, so it would be nice to win both those tournaments while both those guys are alive and kicking." 

McIlroy skipped the Memorial Tournament last year for the first time since 2017. 

It followed an uncharacteristic showing at the PGA Championship where McIlroy appeared to be irritated with media after a USGA official leaked the fact his driver was deemed non-conforming and needed to be replaced. 

Nicklaus said McIlroy didn't even give him a heads-up that he wouldn't be playing. 

"It surprised me," Nicklaus said at the time.  But, you know, guys have got schedules and got things they do.

"I haven't talked to him for him to tell me why or why not. It's just his call.

"I made a lot of calls that I had to make when I played to play or not play, and sometimes it wasn't as popular as people thought it was. 

"But sometimes you have to make those calls.

"I don't hold anything against Rory for that. He did what he likes to play. I know he likes to play so many in a row."

McIlroy said he hopefully has a few more years to win at Riviera. 

"Jack's obviously a little bit older," McIlroy added. "Yeah, those are two. Yeah, there's a lot of golf courses with a lot of history. 

"There's a lot of old U.S. Open sites that have had some great things happen at them. 

"Yeah, this is certainly one, Augusta was another, and the last one I think on - not the last one but the biggest one on the list would probably be St. Andrews."