Rory McIlroy insists he’s more motivated than ever to build on his ‘different’ title defence at The Masters, ahead of returning to PGA Tour action for the first time since his major victory.

McIlroy became just the fourth player in history to win back-to-back editions of The Masters – following on from Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods – with a one-shot victory over Scottie Scheffler at Augusta National last month.

The world No 2 recovered from losing a six-shot halfway lead to close out a sixth major title, a year from completing the career Grand Slam with a dramatic play-off win over Justin Rose, with McIlroy then taking three weeks off after securing the Green Jacket again.

McIlroy starts a busy run of events this week at the Truist Championship, a Signature Event he has won four times, with the Northern Irishman glad to have ended an 11-year major drought with two in as many seasons.

“It [returning to action] feels a lot different [to last year],” McIlroy said in his pre-tournament press conference ahead of the Truist Championship, live from Thursday on Sky Sports Golf. “Even winning [The Masters] felt different.

“I’ve spoken about this a lot, I felt like winning the Grand Slam was s going to be this life-changing thing and in some ways it was, but in other ways I had to remember ‘no, I still have a lot of my career left and I want to keep playing and keep competing’.

“This year, I think winning was validation for all the work that I’ve put in over the last few years to get myself back to this place where I’m winning majors. I’m excited for the road ahead.

“I’m excited for this week, I’m excited for Aronimink next week [PGA Championship], Shinnecock [US Open], Birkdale [The Open]. I feel like, if anything, I’m more motivated after what happened at Augusta this year than I’ve ever been.”

McIlroy experienced a dip in form after the 2025 win at The Masters, failing to contend in the next two majors and posting just one top-10 finish in the next five worldwide starts, although had less to juggle in the weeks following last month’s victory.

“It [celebrating] has been amazing – maybe not quite as hectic as last year,” McIlroy admitted. “I think this win felt a little bit different than the first win at Augusta.

“It’s been really nice to spend time at home. I’ve done a couple of things, but I didn’t do the media trip up to New York. It was nice, my parents were in the States, so I didn’t have to fly home and see them. It was nice to just get a little bit of downtime and chill.

“Did some fun stuff. Erica [his wife] and I took a trip to New York, which was nice. Then did the State Dinner at the Whitehouse last Tuesday night, which was an amazing evening. So fitted in some fun stuff.

“I gave myself a good 10 days to enjoy myself and then thought I needed to get back on the range and start to practice and get ready for this stretch coming up.”

McIlroy is the pre-tournament favourite to claim a record-extending fifth victory at the Quail Hollow Club, having followed his breakthrough PGA Tour title there in 2010 with further wins in 2015, 2021 and 2024.

“This tournament I guess got my career going, especially on the PGA Tour,” McIlroy said about his 2010 victory. “Then it’s been a pretty fruitful place since then as well with three other wins.

“I’ve gotten to know so many people here really well. 16 years I’ve been coming here, so it’s been a fun place, I’ve had success and it’s somewhere I always love coming back to.”

He later added: “I’ve had some of the best days of my career on this golf course.”

Who will win the Truist Championship? Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Early coverage begins on Thursday from 12.45pm on Sky Sports+, ahead of full coverage from 7pm on Sky Sports Golf.