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In his 17th appearance in the Masters, Rory McIlroy finally won the green jacket and reached what he figured would be the pinnacle of his golf career. He has the career Grand Slam. He has an invitation to play in the Masters for as long as he wants.The 18th trip might be even better.This must feel like a victory lap for McIlroy, who has been at Augusta National all weekend with an eye on hosting the Masters Club dinner on Tuesday night. And then he can move on to that small matter of trying to become only the fourth player to win back-to-back at the Masters.What's the rush?I think for the past 17 years I just could not wait for the tournament to start, McIlroy said Tuesday. And this year, I wouldn't care if the tournament never started.That brought laughter, including his own. He met with the media at Augusta National a preview of his Prime Video documentary was played before he walked in for the first time since he won last year and began his news conference by asking, What are we going to talk about next year?He said the goal posts have moved, but he's still kicking.It's completely different, McIlroy said. I feel so much more relaxed. I know that Im going to be coming back here for a lot of years, going to enjoy the perks that the champions get here. It doesnt make me any less motivated to go out there and play well and try to win the tournament.He doesn't expect it to be any easier than a wild Sunday afternoon, 18 holes that in some respects resembled his 18 years on tour.That's true for everyone in the 91-man field. There was a chill in the air Tuesday morning that now gives way to a forecast for hot, dry weather. That can be Augusta National at its toughest, no matter how pretty it looks with the azalea and dogwood blooms.If it's firm and fast, the greens are going to be even more difficult to hit than they already are, Bryson DeChambeau said.Scottie Scheffler knows the drill as defending champion, having won in 2022 and 2024. Scheffler prefers a routine disrupted slightly now with a newborn son in tow.Defending can always be difficult, but I think thats mostly just the odds of winning a tournament in back-to-back years, Scheffler said. I think thats just extremely challenging, especially when you look at these major championships.Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02) are the only players to win in consecutive years at the Masters.I think everything's new when youre a first-time defending (champion) here, Scheffler said. You host the dinner that's a big deal. Theres certain things that go on that maybe would make it a touch more difficult, but I wouldnt say its anything too substantial.For McIlroy, it's everything so new that's making this so enjoyable.He never bothered to spend much time upstairs in the clubhouse during the Masters, where a room is dedicated to the co-founders and to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a proud member at Augusta National. McIlroy loves golf history.I knew the week of the tournament that the clubhouse is for participants and their families, but I still felt like I had to earn the right to be there a little more often, he said.McIlroy recalled one potentially awkward moment last year when he and Justin Rose, whom he would beat in a playoff, were going to have dinner in the clubhouse on Tuesday night. He drove down Magnolia Lane toward the clubhouse right as the past champions were on the balcony for cocktail hour before their dinner.I'm like, I dont want to valet, get out, theyre going to see me and its going to be weird. So I had this really awkward moment with it all last year, McIlroy said. Yeah, thankfully that was the last time that I needed to do that.He has prepared remarks for a dinner of past champions, and a menu that is among the more exquisite for this occasion, particularly the wine. One of the side dishes is Irish Champ," creamy mashed potatoes with green onions, butter and milk.People keep asking me, Why didnt you go more Irish?' And I said, Because I want to enjoy the dinner as well, McIlroy said.More laughter. There was a lot of that Tuesday, different from past years when he heard the same questions When are you going to win the Masters? and didn't have great answers. Now he has the ultimate response: He wore his green jacket to his news conference.What's next?McIlroy has said he wants to win as many majors as possible Harry Vardon with seven has the most of any European player; McIlroy has five and at prestigious venues, such as St. Andrews next year for the British Open.There's still a lot that I want to do, he said. I think what Ive realized is if you can just really find enjoyment in the journey, thats the big thing. Because honestly, I felt like the career Grand Slam was my destination, and I got there, and then I realized it wasnt the destination.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

In his 17th appearance in the Masters, Rory McIlroy finally won the green jacket and reached what he figured would be the pinnacle of his golf career. He has the career Grand Slam. He has an invitation to play in the Masters for as long as he wants.The 18th trip might be even better.This must feel like a victory lap for McIlroy, who has been at Augusta National all weekend with an eye on hosting the Masters Club dinner on Tuesday night. And then he can move on to that small matter of trying to become only the fourth player to win back-to-back at the Masters.What's the rush?I think for the past 17 years I just could not wait for the tournament to start, McIlroy said Tuesday. And this year, I wouldn't care if the tournament never started.That brought laughter, including his own. He met with the media at Augusta National a preview of his Prime Video documentary was played before he walked in for the first time since he won last year and began his news conference by asking, What are we going to talk about next year?He said the goal posts have moved, but he's still kicking.It's completely different, McIlroy said. I feel so much more relaxed. I know that Im going to be coming back here for a lot of years, going to enjoy the perks that the champions get here. It doesnt make me any less motivated to go out there and play well and try to win the tournament.He doesn't expect it to be any easier than a wild Sunday afternoon, 18 holes that in some respects resembled his 18 years on tour.That's true for everyone in the 91-man field. There was a chill in the air Tuesday morning that now gives way to a forecast for hot, dry weather. That can be Augusta National at its toughest, no matter how pretty it looks with the azalea and dogwood blooms.If it's firm and fast, the greens are going to be even more difficult to hit than they already are, Bryson DeChambeau said.Scottie Scheffler knows the drill as defending champion, having won in 2022 and 2024. Scheffler prefers a routine disrupted slightly now with a newborn son in tow.Defending can always be difficult, but I think thats mostly just the odds of winning a tournament in back-to-back years, Scheffler said. I think thats just extremely challenging, especially when you look at these major championships.Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02) are the only players to win in consecutive years at the Masters.I think everything's new when youre a first-time defending (champion) here, Scheffler said. You host the dinner that's a big deal. Theres certain things that go on that maybe would make it a touch more difficult, but I wouldnt say its anything too substantial.For McIlroy, it's everything so new that's making this so enjoyable.He never bothered to spend much time upstairs in the clubhouse during the Masters, where a room is dedicated to the co-founders and to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a proud member at Augusta National. McIlroy loves golf history.I knew the week of the tournament that the clubhouse is for participants and their families, but I still felt like I had to earn the right to be there a little more often, he said.McIlroy recalled one potentially awkward moment last year when he and Justin Rose, whom he would beat in a playoff, were going to have dinner in the clubhouse on Tuesday night. He drove down Magnolia Lane toward the clubhouse right as the past champions were on the balcony for cocktail hour before their dinner.I'm like, I dont want to valet, get out, theyre going to see me and its going to be weird. So I had this really awkward moment with it all last year, McIlroy said. Yeah, thankfully that was the last time that I needed to do that.He has prepared remarks for a dinner of past champions, and a menu that is among the more exquisite for this occasion, particularly the wine. One of the side dishes is Irish Champ," creamy mashed potatoes with green onions, butter and milk.People keep asking me, Why didnt you go more Irish?' And I said, Because I want to enjoy the dinner as well, McIlroy said.More laughter. There was a lot of that Tuesday, different from past years when he heard the same questions When are you going to win the Masters? and didn't have great answers. Now he has the ultimate response: He wore his green jacket to his news conference.What's next?McIlroy has said he wants to win as many majors as possible Harry Vardon with seven has the most of any European player; McIlroy has five and at prestigious venues, such as St. Andrews next year for the British Open.There's still a lot that I want to do, he said. I think what Ive realized is if you can just really find enjoyment in the journey, thats the big thing. Because honestly, I felt like the career Grand Slam was my destination, and I got there, and then I realized it wasnt the destination.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Rapper Kanye West had a request to perform at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium turned down over the club's links to the local Jewish community, according to reports.Just days ago, it was confirmed the controversial hitmaker would be headlining at London's Wireless Festival this summer.But his appearance has since descended into farce, with sponsors pulling out and even the PM voicing his "concern".Now, it has emerged that Mr West had tried to perform at the Premier League side's home - but was rebuffed.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayA source told The Sun: "Kanye's team had wanted him to play a run of shows at Tottenham before they considered Wireless."As part of his big music comeback, they thought he warranted a headline run of shows and chose the Tottenham stadium as their venue of choice."But when they approached Tottenham with their proposal, the club rejected it."There was no way they would allow Kanye to perform at the club given its history with the Jewish community."Spurs have been associated with north London's Jews for more than a century - with fans even reclaiming the antisemtic slur "Y*d" or "Y**do* to identify themselves.Following the rejection, the Chicago-born rapper's team successfully pitched the concerts to Wireless Festival organisers.But in light of the artist's history of antisemitic remarks and his song glorifying Adolf Hitler, critics have condemned his festival booking.Sir Keir Starmer described it as "deeply concerning", telling The Sun on Sunday: "It is deeply concerning that Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism."Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted clearly and firmly whatever it appears.""Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe and secure."LATEST MUSIC HEADLINES:Sadiq Khan issues stern statement as London Mayor condemns UK festival's decision to book Kanye WestVictoria Beckham sets record straight on Spice Girls 'feud' with sweet gesture amid scrapped reunionJustin Timberlake left 'utterly humiliated' as 2024 arrest footage goes viralHome Secretary Shabana Mahmood holds the authority to block the rapper's entry under immigration rules.Pepsi withdrew its sponsorship of Wireless Festival yesterday in protest at Mr West's scheduled performances.The drinks giant pulled out after learning the rapper would headline all three nights in July in Finsbury Park, north London.Diageo, the firm behind Captain Morgan rum and Johnnie Walker whisky, followed suit on Sunday evening.A spokesman said: "We have informed the organisers of our concerns and as it stands, Diageo will not sponsor the 2026 Wireless festival."The July concerts will mark Mr West's first UK performances since headlining Glastonbury in 2015.He last appeared at Wireless in 2014.The Jewish Leadership Council condemned the festival's decision to book West as "deeply irresponsible" amid increasing attacks on Britain's Jewish community.Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, described allowing the rapper to perform as "absolutely the wrong decision."Mr West apologised for his antisemitic comments in January through a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal.He apologised to Jewish and black people and blamed his bipolar disorder, which he said led him to fall into a "four-month long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Twelve months after the greatest moment of his career, Rory McIlroy returns to the Masters looking for a rare back-to-back win.

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