Rory McIlroy didn’t win back-to-back Masters titles just by instinct.

He followed a strong and detailed routine that made Augusta National feel familiar, almost like his own backyard. On April 13, he explained how he reached that point.

He spoke to reporters after winning his second straight Masters title on Sunday at Augusta National. When he was asked if this was the most prepared he had ever felt before a major, he gave the most honest answer ever.

"This place feels like my home course," Rory McIlroy said. "I haven't played anywhere else in the last two or three weeks, really. felt prepared that wherever I hit it on the golf course, I sort of knew what to do. I know where to miss."

He skipped PGA Tour events to spend more time at Augusta. The 36-year-old was once asked which major excites him most, and he chose the Masters, which shows how seriously he prepares for it.

Some days, he even flew from Florida, played a round, and then flew straight back home.

"I did a couple of days where I dropped Poppy off at school. flew up here, played, landed back home. And had dinner with her or had dinner with Erica," he said.

That kind of commitment had a famous blueprint behind it.

The Advice That Helped Rory McIlroy to His Masters Victory

Rory McIlroy followed the golf legend Jack Nicklaus ' advice on the Masters.

Nicklaus usually came a week early, played four days in a row with one ball, and kept real scores. He always treated the practice round like the tournament had already started.

"So then when I got to the tournament, it felt second nature to me," he said. "I did a little bit of that leading up to here."

He won’t spend three weeks at every major, but he will still get there early and treat practice like real play, not just look around.

On Sunday evening, McIlroy's daughter, Poppy was waiting near the 18th hole, and he walked off the green and went straight to her. It was almost the same scene as in 2025.

He now has six majors and two straight Green Jackets, built on a routine that includes school runs, quick trips to Georgia, and ideas taken from Nicklaus.

So, do you think other players will follow McIlroy's major prep blueprint? Drop your thoughts below.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Kalp Thaker