Rory McIlroy’s preparation for a successful Masters defense has come under scrutiny, but questions about the fairness of his time at Augusta National have been firmly dismissed.
McIlroy became the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters titles after defeating Scotty Scheffler by one stroke on Sunday.
After completing a career Grand Slam by winning at Augusta in 2025, McIlroy claimed the sixth major title of his career 12 months later, further boosting the Northern Irishman’s status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Despite McIlroy’s brilliance being undisputed, comments he made mid-tournament that revealed he had been playing regularly at Augusta in recent weeks led to a post-tournament controversy.
One of America’s leading sports talk shows debated Monday whether McIlroy had an unfair advantage by playing at Augusta, and several others also weighed in on the debate on social media.
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Following his successful title defense at the Masters, McIlroy reflects on his victory and talks about his ‘potential’ for further success.
‘I’ve been to this golf course too many times.’
McIlroy got off to a remarkable start to his title defense, sitting at 12 under par at the halfway mark and taking a record six stroke lead over the rest of the field.
After the second round, McIlroy explained that he thought it would have been helpful to practice at Augusta a few weeks before the tournament, skipping all three PGA Tour events between the Players and Masters.
“I’ve been on this golf course so much over the last three weeks, it’s been a combination of practicing and chipping and putting around the greens, shooting scores with just one ball and then ending up in these weird places that I can’t find on my own and just trying to figure it out,” McIlroy said.
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McIlroy maintained his record 36-hole lead in the Masters with an incredible 7-under-par 65 at Augusta National!
“I think just spending so much time here has been a big part of it.
“Honestly, I’m not happy with the three tournaments leading up to this event.
“I’d rather come up here. Take (my daughter) Poppy to school for a few days, fly up here and play, then come home and have dinner with her or (my wife) Erica.”
“I did a couple of day trips that I felt were a better use of my time than going to Houston or San Antonio. It’s not really saving energy, but I felt like the more time I could spend here the better.”
‘It’s an advantage, but it’s not unfair’
McIlroy’s comments garnered immediate attention on social media, but questions about the fairness of his tournament preparation were briefly put on hold when he gave up a six-stroke lead in the third round.
But McIlroy’s energetic performance in Sunday’s comeback win led some to refocus on his time at Augusta ahead of the tournament.
The segment on American TV sparked controversy, with the golf world staunchly defending McIlroy. American duo Michael Kim and Kevin Kisner were among those who dismissed all questions about the champion’s approach.
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McIlroy revealed how he evaluated each part of his golf game at the 2026 Masters.
sky sports golf Nick Dougherty said: “It really doesn’t make any sense. I feel like more people outside of golf don’t really understand the process, how it all works, what features are available to players than they drive around.
“It is proof that the Masters is not just a golf tournament but a sports tournament that attracts attention.
“It’s definitely not an unfair advantage. You have the right to go there.”
After failing to defend his Players title in early March and tying for 46th place, McIlroy decided not to participate in the Valspar Championship, Houston Open, and Texas Open, which were held three weeks before the Masters.
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McIlroy played Amen Corner at 2 under par to beat his pursuers and take firm control of the Masters in the final round at Augusta National on Sunday.
Dougherty went on to add: “Was it an advantage for him to do that? Yes, but it’s not unfair. He’s smart. And his unfair advantage is that he’s so good that he doesn’t have to go to all the tournaments beforehand. But then again, he’s earned it, hasn’t he?
“Rory McIlroy can play on a limited schedule because he knows that when he plays, it’s probably going to be important, and he’s got a chance to play now when he wants to play. Just because it’s a big event on the golf course doesn’t necessarily mean he has to show up.
“Whereas smaller players grow up and play more golf and play wherever they can. But of course, that’s not where he is because of everything he’s accomplished.”
‘Rory didn’t get what everyone else didn’t get.’
Dougherty made the only Masters appearance of his career in 2008, and the treatment he received from Augusta officials suggests other participants in the 2026 tournament could have practiced on the course as often as McIlroy if they had wanted to.
“I placed seventh at the 2007 U.S. Open, so I knew from June 2007 to April 2008 that I was going to play in the Masters,” Dougherty recalled.
Sky Sports Golf’s Nick Dougherty made his only Masters appearance in 2008.
“So when the opportunity arose, Sir Nick Faldo advised me to go early, because if you just turn up during tournament week, obviously as a first-time competitor there’s going to be an element of wow you and that’s going to have a big impact on your performance. “If you want to do exactly what Rory actually did, you have to go and do your homework and put in the time.
“They gave me a great caddy at Augusta National who showed me all the nuances, which you wouldn’t get during tournament week because you have your own caddy, and we spent long hours on the course.
“When you get there, there are definitely not a lot of people. There are so many clubs that allow you to get out on the golf course and practice properly, hit different shots, and try different pin positions. So even though it’s the first time I know a place like the back of my hand.
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Rory McIlroy revealed the advice Jack Nicklaus gave him ahead of the second round of the Masters.
“Obviously, it would help Rory a little bit more, but I still think it would have been just as far as someone could go to the golf course and make that first call to play and see. I doubt I would have gone more than five times.
“I’m sure the golf club will look after someone who wants to prepare and practice for the Masters if they follow the right call-up procedures, so I honestly don’t think he’s got what anyone else wouldn’t have been able to do.
“I think it’s unfair because people think you can’t go there and because you’re Rory, you say, ‘Yeah, you can go.’ That’s not true.”
Doherty has been backed by current world number 44 Michael Kim, who said there was “a good chance” he would play Augusta ahead of this year’s tournament.
Kim wrote on social media: “Yes, there are a lot of rounds that ANGC will refuse to let me play alone. That number will be a little lower for me than for someone like Rory.
“If you find a member to host every time, the sky is the limit.” If I wanted to go to ANGC, I had many opportunities to do so, but I couldn’t. Make better use of your practice time at home or wherever you are to perform better for your next tournament.
“If Rory wanted to match the number of rounds he got at Augusta, he could have easily done so.”
Can McIlroy achieve greater success in 2026? Watch the PGA Championship (May 14-17), US Open (June 18-21) and The Open (July 16-19) live exclusively on Sky Sports. Access or stream Sky Sports with no contract.
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