When Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters to complete the career Grand Slam, it seemed to be the crowning achievement of his stellar career.
What else was left for him to accomplish? What other worlds were left to conquer?
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Turns out McIlroy, a 30-time winner on the PGA Tour and a six-time major champion, does have a few more boxes to check.
As he arrived at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village for this week’s Memorial Tournament, McIlroy confessed: “I would say here and Tiger’s event at Riviera. They’re the two that I would love to win.”
It’s not that has hasn’t been close. In 13 previous appearances, he has five top-10 finishes and four more in the top 20.
“I haven’t quite figured it out yet. It’s frustrated me over my career,” McIlroy said.
LIVE LEADERBOARD: Memorial Tournament
He says one reason he hasn’t finished higher than a tie for fourth in 2016 could be that the fairways tend to pinch in right around the spot where his drives end up, which he says neutralizes perhaps his greatest weapon.
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But McIlroy finally figured out how to win at Augusta. And then this April, he did it again.
Rory McIlroy takes part in Wednesday’s Pro-Am at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, site of this weekend’s Memorial Tournament.
Perhaps the lesson of learning to be patient will pay off at The Memorial and give McIlroy the satisfaction of yet another goal accomplished.
“I always thought it would be cool to win here,” he said, “and take that little walk up the hill off the 18th green and shake Jack’s hand.”
How to watch 2026 Memorial Tournament
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Site: Muirfield Village Golf Club; Dublin, Ohio
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TV coverage (all times Eastern):
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Thursday, June 4: Golf Channel (2-6 p.m.)
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Friday, June 5: Golf Channel (2-6 p.m.)
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Saturday, June 6: Golf Channel (12:30-2:30 p.m.) | CBS (2:30-6 p.m.)
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Sunday, June 7: Golf Channel (12:30-2:30 p.m.) | CBS (2:30-6 p.m.)
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why hasn’t Rory McIlroy won the Memorial? Maybe 14th time is the charm
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