It’s not been an easy journey for McIlroy, having to endure 11 years of highs and lows as he strived to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win all four majors.

It was the night before the 2025 Masters Tournament, and Nick Faldo and Ben Crenshaw sat on a back porch for a soiree typical for this time of year around here. Small, exclusive, deep-pocketed. A fireside chat between the two Masters winners was tabbed as the highlight of the evening.

McIlroy's illustrious career has featured plenty of success, but reaching ultimate glory was only going to come through a level of agony