PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Rory McIlroy’s victory at the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am wasn’t merely a win; it was a statement, a turning point that reverberated through the golf world and ultimately propelled him to a career-defining Grand Slam victory at the Masters Tournament. Now, as McIlroy returns to Pebble Beach in 2026, the question isn’t whether he can replicate that success, but what remains on his list of golfing conquests.
The iconic 18th hole at Pebble Beach, with its dramatic coastline and challenging approach, has long been considered a proving ground for champions. McIlroy’s triumph there, punctuated by a stunning eagle on the 18th during a practice round, as noted by HITC, signaled a renewed focus, and confidence. That momentum carried him through the season, culminating in a Masters win that had eluded him for years.
“There’s a few what I would call cathedrals of golf,” McIlroy said following his 2025 Pebble Beach victory. “Here, Augusta, St. Andrews — maybe a few more you could add in there. I had a huge fat zero on all of those going in here. To knock one off at Pebble is very cool.”
Having conquered Augusta, McIlroy is now openly assessing his remaining ambitions. During play on Friday at Pebble Beach, he addressed the question of which “cathedrals” he still aims to conquer. “There’s places I haven’t won that I would love to,” McIlroy stated. “St. Andrews being one of them. Riviera next week would be another. Riviera and Muirfield Village are two. They’re wonderful golf courses but who hosts the events as well. You understand, Tiger and Jack. I was able to win Bay Hill but not while Arnie was around, so it would be nice to win both those tournaments while both those guys are alive and kicking.”
The pursuit of a victory at St. Andrews, the “home of golf,” appears to be his most pressing goal. McIlroy acknowledged its significance, stating, “There’s a lot of golf courses with a lot of history. There’s a lot of aged U.S. Open sites that have had some great things happen at them. Yeah, this is certainly one, Augusta was another, and the last one I think — not the last one, but the biggest one on the list would probably be St. Andrews.”
The 155th Open Championship, scheduled to return to St. Andrews in 2027, shortly after McIlroy’s 38th birthday, represents a tangible opportunity to achieve this ambition. While acknowledging the challenges ahead, McIlroy remains resolute. His success at Pebble Beach, and subsequently at Augusta, has demonstrated his ability to translate ambition into achievement.
McIlroy’s journey is a testament to the power of momentum in golf. As he learned at Pebble Beach, breakthroughs can come in quick succession. He isn’t content to rest on his laurels, and his focus remains firmly fixed on adding to his legacy. He is not sitting on the fence.
