No more pressure, just golf: McIlroy ready to contend again at PGA Championship

As he prepares to chase back-to-back major titles with a victory in the PGA Championship, McIlroy admits winning the Masters last month has left him with a sense of fulfillment and completion regarding his journey in golf.

"I have achieved everything that I've wanted — I've done everything I've wanted to do in the game," McIlroy said. "I dreamed as a child of becoming the best player in the world and winning all the majors. I've done that.

"Everything beyond this, for however long I decide to play the game competitively, is a bonus."

McIlroy's pursuit of that elusive Masters title had become an all-consuming, decade-long saga — a weight he carried each time he returned to Augusta National.

So when his winning putt dropped on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff, the emotion poured out. McIlroy fell to his knees in tears, finally releasing the pressure and expectations that had built up over years of near misses and what-ifs.

With all that behind him, he finds himself preparing for his first major in over a decade in which he is in a position to just enjoy himself.

"I feel like I sort of burdened myself with the career Grand Slam stuff, and I want to enjoy this," McIlroy said.

"I want to enjoy what I've achieved, and I want to enjoy the last decade or whatever of my career, and I don't want to burden myself by numbers or statistics. I just want to go and try to play the best golf I can."

The challenge for McIlroy now becomes setting new goals and making sure he still has the necessary fire to chase further achievements in the game.

"I'm still going to set myself goals," McIlroy said. "I'm still going to try to achieve certain things. But I sit here knowing that that very well could be the highlight of my career.

"That's a very cool thing. I want to still create a lot of other highlights and high points, but I'm not sure if any other win will live up to what happened a few weeks ago."

McIlroy could hardly have asked for a better follow-up major venue than Quail Hollow, a venue he has enjoyed more success than any other player. Not only is he the favourite this weekend, but some are even wondering if the Northern Irishman could complete the elusive calendar-year Grand Slam by winning all four majors.

The Northern Irishman isn't going to put that kind of pressure on himself, though he knows he has the ability to give himself a chance.

"I think everyone saw how hard having a north star is and being able to get over the line," he added. "If I can just try to get the best out of myself each and every week, I know what my abilities are; I know the golf that I can play.

"And if I keep turning up and just trying to do that each and every week, especially in these four big ones a year, I know that I'll have my chances. I've always said I'm never going to put a number on it."