Rory McIlroy once claimed to be a member of 18 different golf courses.
Of course, Rory McIlroy – who was announced as Sports Personality of the Year on Thursday night – has won all over the planet across his illustrious career.
And in 2025, the Northern Irishman secured a victory at potentially the most iconic golf course in the world with his emotional triumph at Augusta National that completed the Career Grand Slam.
Do you think you could win The Masters if you started every hole on the green?
If not, how many shots would you also need?
Interestingly, the home of The Masters is not the golf course McIlroy named as his favourite.
Rory McIlroy names the golf course he prefers over Augusta National and St Andrews
McIlroy puts a lot of his rivals on the PGA Tour to shame with his willingness to travel across the globe. Recently, the 36-year-old teed it up at the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.
McIlroy admitted Royal Melbourne was not his favourite Australian course. So perhaps it is no surprise that neither Augusta nor The Old Course at St Andrews emerged as his number one during a quick fire interview with Golf Channel.
Playing this-or-that, Royal County Down emerged as the winner. His home club, Holywood, was the final course to miss out on the crown.
For those wondering, the choice McIlroy found most difficult was between Royal County Down and Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy yet to have his fairytale moment in the Irish Open at Royal County Down
The Irish Open has been played at Royal County Down on two occasions during McIlroy’s career. Unfortunately, the 2015 event proved to be an anticlimax for the then world number one.
He shot an 80 in the opening round and ended up missing the cut.
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There was further heartbreak nine years later when the event returned to the Irish Open. However, the disappointment was due to a completely different reason.
McIlroy finished just one shot behind winner Rasmus Hojgaard. He saw an eagle chance on the 72nd hole slide agonisingly by the cup.
Thankfully, McIlroy would put that right one year later. He provided one of the moments of the season at The K Club with the eagle to make it into a playoff.
That set the stage for McIlroy to win the event for a second time.
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