What happens when a golfer finally captures the one trophy that’s eluded them for years? Is the rest of their career simply a victory lap, or does the fire still burn? For Rory McIlroy, achieving his career grand slam at Augusta has created a new challenge. Fellow Irishman, and one of Rory’s best friends, whom he hugged after his Augusta win, Shane Lowry, understands this struggle all too well, and he shared his two cents.

When the media asked McIlroy if it’s getting hard for him to put behind his Masters win, 27 days ago, on the back burner to focus on the upcoming things, he agreed, saying, “Absolutely. We all have our own challenges, and if my challenge is to try to focus on the present and not think about a dream come true, a few weeks ago, then that’s a pretty good challenge to have.” At the same conference, the media asked Lowry about his experience with resetting goals and life after winning the major for the remaining season.

“I found it hard in 2019 when I won The Open,” Lowry admitted during Friday’s press conference at the Truist Championship in Philadelphia. He knows firsthand the emotional whirlwind that follows a major victory. Lowry explained the tricky mental game that comes after a career-defining win. “You almost want it too much sometimes to almost forget about that and move on,” he told reporters at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. It’s that pressure to follow up on greatness that can trip up even the best players.

But Lowry isn’t too worried about his friend. “I’m sure Rory’s won enough times, enough big tournaments to reset his goals and move on,” he said with a laugh. He even caught himself wondering why he was answering for McIlroy at all! Lowry’s perspective on post-major victories is wise. “There’s a part of you that should enjoy what you’ve just done,” he reflected. This balance between savoring achievement and maintaining hunger is crucial for champions.

The mental reset comes at a pivotal time for McIlroy. After a disappointing T12 finish alongside Lowry at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, he’s now defending his title at the Truist Championship this week. But McIlroy’s focus extends far beyond this single tournament, as his schedule for the coming months reveals the ambitions of a player who isn’t resting on his laurels.

Rory McIlroy’s ambitious schedule ahead

The Truist Championship at Philadelphia Cricket Club represents more than just another tournament for McIlroy. After two rounds, he’s tied for fourth at 7-under par, five shots behind leader Keith Mitchell. Interestingly, Lowry sits in second place at 11-under, showing that his competitive fire remains strong.

This Philadelphia appearance kicks off a crucial stretch for McIlroy. Next week, he’ll head to Quail Hollow for the PGA Championship, where he’ll pursue his sixth major title. His remarkable course history there makes him an instant favorite. The packed schedule continues with the Canadian Open in early June, followed by the U.S. Open and the Open Championship later this summer.

While juggling his tournament commitments, McIlroy has also expanded his business portfolio, recently partnering with private equity giant TPG to launch TPG Sports. This balance of on-course competition and off-course investment reflects his evolved approach to his career, even as Lowry observes that his friend remains “very driven to win more.”

For McIlroy, the challenge now is maintaining perspective while pursuing more titles. As Lowry wisely notes, sometimes the most incredible freedom comes from knowing “when you have tough days, it kind of is there in the back of your head that you’ve achieved something great.” That foundation might be precisely what propels McIlroy through the rest of his historic 2025 season.