Rory McIlroy issues warning to PGA Tour rivals ahead of first start since Masters win

Rory McIlroy claimed he's more more motivated than at any stage of his career ahead of his first start on the PGA Tour since defending his Masters title. 

McIlroy, who turned 37 on Monday, underlined his status as one of the modern greats by holding off a late charge from world number one Scottie Scheffler at Augusta National in April. 

He has taken three weeks off since claiming his sixth major championship title but returns to competitive action at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte this week, a venue where he stepped into the winner's circle on four occasions. 

And the world number says two he feels different. "I've spoke about this a lot, I felt like winning the grand slam was like this, was going to be this life-changing thing and in some ways it was," said McIlroy.  

"But in other ways I had to remember like, no, I still have a lot of my career left and I want to keep playing and keep competing. 

"So this year was I think winning was validation for all the work that I've put in over the last few years to get myself back to this place where I'm winning majors."

McIlroy is using the sixth signature event of the PGA Tour season to prepare for next week's PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Open returns to Shinnecock Hills for the first time since 2018, taking place from 18–21 June, while the final men's major of the year will be held a month later at Royal Birkdale for the first time since Jordan Spieth lifted the Claret Jug there in 2017.

"I'm excited for the road ahead," McIlroy added.

"I'm excited for this week, I'm excited for Aronimink next week, Shinnecock, Birkdale, you know, like I feel like if anything I'm more motivated after what happened at Augusta this year than I've ever been."

McIlroy got his first PGA Tour win here in 2010. 

He also won the tournament, previously known as the Wells Fargo Championship before the U.S. bank decided against renewing its contract with the PGA Tour, in 2015, 2021 and 2024. 

"I really feel like this tournament got my, I guess got my career going, especially on the PGA Tour," he added. 

"This is 16 years I've been coming here, so it's been a fun place, I've had success and it's somewhere I always love coming back to."

McIlroy described the course conditions as slightly different to last May when the venue hosted the PGA Championship.

"It's been very dry here by all accounts, so the greens are very firm," he said. 

"The rough is down a little bit. Sort of more, probably more in keeping with what the golf course was like in 2024, when the tournament was last here. The course is great. 

"The greens visually don't look amazing but they roll really well and they're very firm. 

"I think we're expecting a little bit of rain tonight and into tomorrow, which will probably help a little bit as well."