Rory McIlroy Circled 2025 Open Championship on His Calendar 'Even More' Than Masters

Rory McIlroy may have finally completed the career Grand Slam with his Masters victory, but he has a greater desire to win the 2025 Open Championship.

"When I was looking at the calendar for 2025, this was the tournament that was circled, even more so than the Masters," McIlroy said, per ESPN's Paolo Uggetti. "I've done something that I've told everyone that I wanted to do, but then it's like I still feel like I have a lot more to give ... I still feel like there's a lot left in there. The story certainly isn't over."

This year's Open Championship will be at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland for the first time since 2019. McIlroy, a Northern Ireland native, revealed that a victory on the course could surpass his reaction to securing his first green jacket.

"I think it would be just as emotional, if not more emotional than Augusta - and everyone saw the mess I was after that," McIlroy told Matt Gault of BBC Sport.

The 36-year-old participated in the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portush, but missed the cut. He revealed that he was attempted to suppress the emotions he felt competing near his hometown.

"I think in '19, I probably tried to isolate," McIlroy said, via Uggetti. "And I think it's better for everyone if I embrace it."

He won the Open at Royal Liverpool in 2014, but failed to make the cut during the 2024 event at Royal Troon.

McIlroy has built some momentum entering the competition, finishing at No. 2 in the Scottish Open on Sunday.

The 2025 Open Championship will begin on Thursday.