Rory McIlroy says he told his wife to ‘hit’ him if he ever complained about wearing the green Masters jacket

It took Rory McIlroy 11 years to complete his career Grand Slam, but less than one to tire of wearing the green jacket.

McIlroy finally completed the rare feat with his long-awaited Masters victory in April, which didn’t come easy. It took a hole in the playoffs against Justin Rose to do it.

However, with victory comes responsibility, which means he wears the green jacket almost everywhere he goes.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland holds the trophy after receiving the green jacket following his victory in a playoff during the final round of the 2025 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Georgia. (David Cannon/Getty Images)

In an interview with CNBC, McIlroy recalled a recent occasion when he wore it in Abu Dhabi, although he admitted he didn’t want to.

“I was in India a few weeks ago and I was in the Middle East the last two weeks, and most places you go, if you do events, people want to see the green jacket,” McIlroy said.

“So, you bring the green jacket with you and sometimes you don’t want to wear it, you know? You don’t want to. I kind of complained about wearing it in Abu Dhabi.

Scottie Scheffler places the green jacket on Rory McIlroy during the green jacket ceremony after the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025. (Kyle Terada/Image Images)

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“I told my wife, Erica, ‘If you ever hear me complain about wearing this again, like, hit me or do something, because I’ve waited my whole life to wear this and I’m complaining about wearing it.'”

McIlroy had already completed 75% of his career Grand Slams in 2014, just four years after winning his first major. It was a matter of when, not if, McIlroy would get his green jacket, but year after year, someone else walked into Butler Cabin.

As soon as he sank his Masters-winning putt, McIlroy collapsed on the green and was left virtually inconsolable when all the pressure was finally lifted from his shoulders. McIlroy agreed to remove the jacket from those same shoulders for a brief time.

Rory McIlroy falls to his knees in celebration after winning a playoff on the 18th green during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Kyle Terada/Image Images)

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But surely he will do everything possible not to wear someone else’s jacket next April after his first Champions Dinner.

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