Rory McIlroy 'unfair advantage' row explained after Masters triumph

Jack Otway
Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:50:32 +0000

Rory McIlroy has etched his name into the history books once again, having become just the fourth golfer in history to win the Masters two years in a row.

However, his victory has been slightly overshadowed by accusations that he had an 'unfair advantage' heading into the major.

McIlroy produced nothing short of sensational golf throughout the four-day tournament, with the 36-year-old narrowly pipping the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young and Justin Rose to glory.

Prior to the tournament starting, McIlroy skipped the traditional PGA Tour lead-up events (the Valspar Championship, Houston Open, and Valero Texas Open) to focus entirely on Augusta.

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As a former Masters champion, he is granted access to the course. This, in the eyes of some, makes things 'unfair'.

Fans on social media suggested the golfer had been fortunate, while entirely neglecting the fact that Scheffler - the world No 1 who finished second - enjoys the same perks.

ESPN's Stephen A Smith waded in, saying: "Now here's where the twist becomes very, very interesting. I don't know if anybody brought this up, I saw a tweet... there was a reporter there, somebody that quoted Rory admitting he had a quote-unquote 'unfair advantage'.

"He says here 'this place feels like my home course, I haven't played anywhere else in the last two or three weeks.'

"I'm like wait a minute now, were you over there practicing for two, three weeks getting set for The Masters when nobody else got to do that? I don't know how anybody else feels about it.

"He didn't break any rules, he didn't violate anything, I'm not saying that, please don't get me wrong.'

"But what I am saying is, that does give you an advantage - not only familiarity with the course because you've been playing there for years, but you've been there over the past three weeks. That's what he said.

"And saying that, I mean you have some people that would believe from a gentleman's perspective, that was an unfair advantage."

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However, McIlroy himself has denied any 'advantage' and made it clear he was unfazed by the criticism coming his way.

"I honestly just don't like the three tournaments leading up to this event," he said following his victory.

He then added: "The more time I could spend up here, the better.

"I joked last week and going into this week, this place feels like my home course. I haven't played anywhere else in the last two or three weeks really. I felt prepared in that way. I felt prepared that wherever I hit it on the golf course, I sort of know what to do. I know where to miss."

Others have jumped to his defence.

"Yes, there's a number of rounds that Augusta National will say no to for me to go by myself... That number is probably a little lower for me [than Rory]... [But] I had a chance to do the same but opted against it," said Michael Kim.

And former golf star Kevin Kisner stated: "Well, as soon as you get your invitation you’re a welcome guest. Obviously, you just have to call and set it up with the pro shop.

"I’ve heard that they’ve told you how many times you can come. Like if somebody is coming every week, every day, they’re like ‘alright, bud, you’ve been here 15 times. That’s enough for this leading up to it.’

"I can guarantee you they’re not going to tell a defending champion, ‘hey, you can’t bring your G650 up here on Tuesday morning and leave Tuesday afternoon every day this week.’

"I don’t think it really matters. And when Rory’s mentioning that, I don’t think he means like he’s been up there 20 times in the last three weeks.

"I think he means like, ‘I came up here four times leading up,’ and one of the days I played over there, he was there. He literally just played 18 holes and had lunch.

"He did do exactly what he said and who cares how many times he went? Everybody else can go just as much as they want, they just can’t beat him.

"I would look at Rory this week with a B- to a B+ game and still won the Masters.

"That whole thing, to your point, I don’t think it matters at all. I thought it was the dumbest argument I’d ever seen in my life. People just don’t understand.

"I probably played (at Augusta) like 10 times a year leading up to the Masters."

McIlroy, regardless, is unlikely to care. He's a two-time Masters champion - and that's what, ultimately, matters most.