Rory McIlroy will make his first solo start this week at Philadelphia Cricket Club for the sixth PGA Tour Signature Event, the Truist Championship. He is the defending champion and looking to take home his third Signature Event of the season.

After becoming the sixth player to win the career grand slam and The Masters, the Northern Irishman celebrated with his family. In typical McIlroy fashion, he was low-key about it all speaking at this week’s Truist Championship.

“It was amazing going home. I didn’t want any fanfare,” McIlroy said. “I didn’t want to — I tried to keep it as private as possible. I just wanted to see my parents and the people that were closest to me, and we had a nice two days.”

The five-time major winner gave insight into his trip home to Northern Ireland and how important it was for him.

“I never get that emotional with my dad,” he explained. “It was great. Then, when I saw my mom— yeah, we were both a mess for a few minutes.”

“I think as time goes on and I’m getting a little older, I realize that they’re not going to be around forever. It means even more that they were still around to be able to see me complete the slam and fulfill those dreams.”

It was a short trip home because he had to return to the States for the Zurich Classic with his best friend, Shane Lowry. McIlroy explained he did not have to focus a lot on that week and allowed Lowry to help him when needed.

Now that McIlroy has had time to enjoy the win, he is back on his regular schedule and focused on the rest of the season.

However, things are not the same for the 36-year-old. For the first time in 10 years, he does not have the weight of a major championship drought hanging over his head.

“I probably won’t be quite as on edge as I have been for the last few years when I’ve been at major championships,” McIlroy noted. “I’ll probably be a little bit better to be around for my family and a little more relaxed. I think overall it will be a good thing.”

“I’m obviously going to feel more comfortable and a lot less pressure, and I’m also going back to a venue that I love. It’s nothing but positive vibes going in there next week with what happened a few weeks ago and then with my history there and how well I’ve played at Quail [Hollow].”

It seems like McIlroy has a lot of confidence after completing the career grand slam. Could that be the start of something special for the No. 2 player in the world? This season sets up nicely for him regarding major championship venues, so the next few months of golf will be must-watch television.

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