After winning the career grand slam in 2025 was a defining moment for Rory McIlroy. However, reaching that stage also brought a different challenge: maintaining the same level of motivation after achieving a long-pursued goal. And that's where tennis legend Roger Federer came in.
Rory McIlroy shared on Friday at Fried Egg Golf about a recent conversation with Roger Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam champion
McIlroy recalled asking Federer how he stayed driven after achieving nearly everything in his career.
“When he got to 15, which was past Pete’s 14, he said, ‘Well, 20 didn’t seem that far away,’” McIlroy said.
To put that into perspective, when Federer reached 14 slams, it was the world record at the time. It was Federer's biggest achievement at the time. And for Rory McIlroy, that moment came at the Masters.
While he had multiple majors in the 2010s, the final step toward the career grand slam took time. After his 2014 PGA Championship win, McIlroy went nearly 11 years without another major title. And with his 2025 Masters win, McIlroy became the first player from Europe to complete the career Grand Slam. He joined Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods in that group.
“It’s the same thing for me,” the 2025 The Players Championship winner said. “I’ve got the five majors. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that I could win every major twice, which would be a really cool thing, to win the Grand Slam twice.”
At the moment, McIlroy is tied for the 15th spot of most majors won by a player. If he manages to fulfil his ambition of winning each major at least one more time, we could see him jump up to sixth on the list! That puts him close to the likes of Gary Player and Tom Watson!
However, He Won't Be Gunning For a Specific Number.
He also explained that he prefers not to publicly state a specific target for major titles.
"I think I've always been very hesitant to put a number on it because if you don't get to that number, does that mean you're a failure? Does that mean you haven't done what you set out to achieve?"
Instead, McIlroy emphasized that his focus remains on progressing further in his career and building a lasting legacy in the game.
As of March 2026, Rory McIlroy has won five major championships, most recently capturing the The Masters Tournament to complete the career Grand Slam. He can try to win it once again once we return to the Augusta National Golf Club in a month.
Trending slideshow: Rory McIlroy: The Rise, Rivalries, and Record-Breaking Wins of Golf’s Superstar
Aditi Singh
Rory McIlroy: The Rise, Rivalries, and Record-Breaking Wins of Golf’s SuperstarRory McIlroy’s rise isn’t just a story of trophies; it’s a saga of rivalries, redemption, and relentless dominance. Be it battling the sport’s fiercest contenders or silencing doubt with record-breaking victories, McIlroy has turned every challenge into a conquest. But behind the headlines lies a deeper truth: his greatest wins often came when the pressure was highest. Let’s read how rivalries forged a superstar, and the moments that made him unstoppable. Petter Arvidson/ImagoBorn May 4, 1989, in Holywood, Northern Ireland, Rory started swinging a golf club as a toddler under the guidance of his father, Gerry. Michael Bannon, from a young age, coached him, who remains his mentor. At 9, Rory won the under-10 World Championship in Florida, signalling the start of a remarkable career. Icon Sportswire/ImagoRory collected multiple Irish and European amateur titles, won Nick Faldo’s youth golf series twice, and earned a Silver Medal for the lowest amateur score at the 2007 Open Championship. He reached the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings and played in the Walker Cup at Royal County Down, his home county. Imago/Icon SMIRory turned professional in 2007 and became the youngest golfer to secure a European Tour card, finishing third at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. His first European Tour win came at the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic. In 2010, he won his first PGA Tour title at the Quail Hollow Championship and debuted in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. Icon Sportswire/ImagoRory won his first Major at the 2011 US Open at Congressional, finishing 16 under par and eight strokes ahead of Jason Day. He set records for the lowest total score and became the third golfer in history to shoot all four rounds under 70 at a US Open. Mark Newcombe/ImagoRory McIlroy is a five-time Major champion, completing the Career Grand Slam with his long-awaited victory at the 2025 Masters. His Major titles include the 2011 U.S. Open, 2012 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship, 2014 PGA Championship, and the 2025 Masters. Each of his wins showed his dominance across different conditions and formats, securing his place among the six players in the modern era to accomplish this feat. Mark Newcombe/ImagoRory McIlroy’s global success includes over 45 professional wins, with 29 PGA Tour victories and 20 DP World Tour wins. He is a three-time FedEx Cup champion (2016, 2019, 2022) and has won the Race to Dubai/Order of Merit multiple times. With more than 100 weeks as World Number One, McIlroy’s career reflects exceptional longevity, consistency, and world-class talent across every major tour. Zuma Press/ImagoRory’s career has been defined by notable rivalries. He clashed with Bryson DeChambeau over on-course battles and LIV Golf views. He faced competitive tension with Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, while his early career saw him rise alongside Tiger Woods’ comeback. He also challenged Jordan Spieth and had conflicts with some LIV Golf players, though he now seeks reunification in professional golf. Joseph Maiorana, USA TODAY SportsStanding 5’10” and weighing 160 lbs, Rory resides in Jupiter, Florida. He enjoys Manchester United, cars, tennis, and music; he is known for his fluid and powerful swing, shaped by coach Michael Bannon for over 20 years. Rory balances family life with competitive golf, is married to Erica, and is a father to Poppy. Rob Schumacher/ImagoJust when it looked like the Race to Dubai was slipping away, Rory McIlroy pulled off a finish only he could write. An electric eagle on the 72nd hole forced a playoff at the DP World Tour Championship, where he ultimately fell to Matt Fitzpatrick, but claimed something far bigger. McIlroy secured his seventh Race to Dubai title, lifting the Harry Vardon Trophy and surpassing Seve Ballesteros. Golffile Thos Caffrey/ImagoRory continued his dominance with notable wins, including the 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Genesis Scottish Open, and Race to Dubai. In 2024, he defended the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, triumphed at the Zurich Classic alongside Shane Lowry, and captured the Quail Hollow Championship, proving his consistency and competitiveness across both the PGA and DP World Tours.
You may like: “Not 23 Anymore”: Rory McIlroy on His Game, LIV Golf Shift, and the Road AheadCaseyFlanigan/Imagespace/ImagoMcIlroy’s legacy reaches far beyond his five Major titles. He has played in eight consecutive Ryder Cups since 2010, contributing to six European victories, including the 2025 win at Bethpage. After completing the Career Grand Slam with his 2025 Masters triumph, McIlroy cemented his place among golf’s all-time greats. His PGA Tour career earnings have since climbed well above $107 million, placing him among the highest-earning golfers in history.
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