Masters champion Rory McIlroy surprised himself with treatment of precious Green Jacket

Rory McIlroy insists he will never tire of signing Masters flags for fans after leaving Augusta National with 1,100 of them following his long-awaited victory in April.

McIlroy's epic play-off win over Justin Rose was his first major triumph in almost 11 years, finally completing the career grand slam of majors in his 17th appearance at the Masters.

Having completed his various media obligations following his victory, McIlroy ensured he would never be short of a Masters flag to sign after snapping up every flag remaining in the Augusta merchandise shop.

At his press conference ahead of this week's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta, McIlroy was asked how many iconic yellow flags he had signed on his travels as reigning Masters champion.

"A lot", was his simple response before he admitted to his merchandise raid. "Actually, I have no idea how many, but it's been a lot. I do know that they had, like, 1,100 left in the merchandise facility at the end of the week, and we took all 1,100!

"It's been a lot, but I'll never get sick of signing them. I've waited 17 years to sign that flag in the middle, and I will never complain about doing it."

McIlroy also admitted to being strangely reluctant to wear his Green Jacket too often, although he still has plenty of time to show it off before he defends his title next spring.

"I'm sort of reluctant to wear it," he added. "It's not as if I wear it a lot. I have it hanging in my wardrobe in a place where I can see it every day.

"I always thought if I had one, if I did win the Masters one day, I'd never take the thing off, but it hasn't been that way. I haven't worn it as much as I thought I would.

"But I've still got it for another seven or eight months, so I'll have a few more opportunities for people to see it and to, maybe not try it on, but at least they can see it.

"You also have to get permission every time you wear it, so there's a lot of dos and don'ts around it as well!"

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