Rory McIlroy has revealed that he was hampered by illness after winning the Masters at Augusta earlier this month.
The Briton made history by becoming just the sixth golfer in history to achieve the career Grand Slam after beating Justin Rose in a dramatic play-off.
It was the crowning moment of McIlroy's career, with the triumph coming 11 years after his last major.
The celebrations have taken a toll on the 35-year-old since, however. Speaking ahead of this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the putter has revealed that he was hampered by a cold that meant he could 'barely get out of bed'.
Rory McIlroy has revealed that he was hampered by illness after winning the Masters at Augusta earlier this month
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"I've picked up a bit of a cold on the way, so I'm feeling a little bit under the weather," he said as he prepares to play with Shane Lowry.
"Once I got back from Ireland on Sunday, then when I woke up Monday morning, I could barely get out of bed; I was feeling that bad."
McIlroy also shed light on his recent trip to the UK.
He says he went to London, along with wife Erica Stoll and their four-year-old daughter Poppy, before then seeing his parents in Northern Ireland.
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"We first went to London with [my wife] Erica and [daughter] Poppy to see our new home that we're building there last week," he explained.
"And then we made the trip over to Belfast to see my mom and dad and a few other people that are important to me over there.
"Just to be with Erica and Poppy and my mom and dad and to see Michael Bannon, my lifelong coach, and spend a bit more time with Harry [Diamond, his caddie] and his wife and just celebrate with the people that have been a part of this whole thing for my entire career, my entire life, was absolutely amazing."
Lowry and McIlroy won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2024.
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Rory McIlroy is set to play with Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans
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Therefore, the pairing will again be the duo to beat as they look to achieve more success together.
Lowry recently said that he'd have understood if McIlroy didn't want to return to the course so soon after his Masters triumph.
However, McIlroy is 'eager to get back out there' and wants to perform at a high level with his close friend in America.
He continued: "I need to put a little bit of practice and a bit of work in today to make sure that I don't let him down this week.
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"I'm eager to get back out there. I think this is the perfect atmosphere to do it in.
"That's a part of the reason that I wanted to honour the commitment to be here - it's a fun event to be out there with Shane.
“I don’t know if it [winning the Masters] gives me more confidence. I’ve always been very confident in my abilities as a golfer.
"I do think that the whole day on Sunday at Augusta, I don’t think I’ll have to ever play a harder round of golf in my life.
Rory McIlroy has enjoyed some time with his family following his win at the Masters earlier this month
GETTY“I certainly don’t want to be placed back on that 15th tee box on that Sunday afternoon.
"So I think to be able to get through that and produce the shots when I needed to, that obviously gives me confidence, and I can always draw back on that experience.”
