• US PGA Championship

McIlroy: I desperately want Green Jacket

ESPN staff
August 11, 2014
Rory McIlroy celebrates holing the winning putt to win his fourth career major and second US PGA title © Getty Images
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Rory McIlroy admits he is "desperate" to win the Green Jacket as he aims to complete a career Grand Slam at the Masters next April.

The world No.1 became the first player to win back-to-back majors since Padraig Harrington in 2008 with a thrilling victory at the US PGA Championship on Sunday, having claimed the Claret Jug at Hoylake last month.

"There will be a lot of hype, that's for sure," said McIlroy, who suffered an infamous meltdown at Augusta in 2011 to blow a four shot lead going into the final day.

"It is the only one I haven't won. I desperately want to win the Green Jacket. I am not going to try too hard and I know that if I play my game game and the golf I am capable of there is no reason I shouldn't go to Augusta thinking I can win and complete the career Grand Slam."

The 25 year old, who also won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in between his latest two major triumphs, will be celebrating his golden summer in New York and Northern Ireland.

There will also be a trip to Old Trafford for Manchester United's Premier League opener against Swansea on Saturday.

"I am going to enjoy this week. I have a week off. It has been a great summer. I am not sure if I am ever going to have another summer like this," McIlroy added.

"I will be back home in Northern Ireland at the end of the week. I don't know if I can parade the Claret Jug and the Wanamaker Trophy at the same time at Old Trafford on Saturday but I will try.

"I will go to Old Trafford for the first game of the season on Saturday and bring the Claret Jug with me. That will be a great thrill and then come back over to the States and get ready for the FedEx Cup. I want to let this all sink in. It has been an incredible run of golf and one I will always remember. I may never have a summer as good as it has been in 2014."

McIlroy is now the third youngest player to win four majors, behind Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, with the 2011 US Open and 2012 US PGA titles also to his name.

He also already has the third highest number of major wins among active players.

"There are only two active players in this generation who have more majors than me and that is Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson," he said.

"I have drawn level with Ernie Els, I have drawn level with Vijay Singh and Raymond Floyd. They are players who will be in the hall of fame, of they aren't already. It is pretty lofty company already."

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