This weekend the golfing world turns to the Augusta National for The Masters – one of the sports most storied and traditional tournaments. The first Major tournament of the year always carries with it an air thick with the kind of history that Rory McIlroy knows all too well. For the defending champion, this year’s tournament arrives just on the heels of the conclusion of the high-energy second season of golf’s latest (and most modern) format – TGL – a team-based hybrid golf league that sees real shotmaking combined with an indoor simulator set up.
While his Boston team ultimately fell short in the semi-finals, as one of TGL’s co-founders, McIlroy remains a primary architect of golf’s modern, tech-forward era. As a long-standing OMEGA brand ambassador, he balances the traditional prestige of the major circuit with the rapid-fire intensity of a 40-second shot clock.
Whether reflecting on the “dragon-slaying” pressure of last year’s Masters victory or the intimate experience of playing mic’d up for a global audience, McIlroy’s focus is unwavering. In this exclusive April 2026 interview with Esquire Middle East, we discuss team dynamics, timepiece preferences, and the destiny of a champion.
Esquire: Season 2 of the TGL, has come to a close. How do you fair?
Rory McIlroy: Unfortunately, in the TGL, my Boston team were eliminated at the semi-final stage, but the team is proud of how we played this year. In a sport that’s so individual week in and week out, TGL gives us the opportunity to do something a little different and lean into the team dynamic. We’ve really enjoyed that, but at the same time you always want to win, so there’s naturally some disappointment. Overall, though, season 2 has been a success and a great experience for everyone involved.
What is the easiest way you’ve found to explain TGL to someone who is unaware of it?
Rory McIlroy: I always say it’s a dynamic and innovative form of golf that is particularly appealing to a younger audience. We’re bringing in a new crowd, not only in the custom-built venue itself, but also through prime time viewing on TV. It’s not there to replace outdoor golf; it’s an addition to the season that brings an extra bit of excitement to the game.
What is the most challenging aspect of playing this ‘format’ of golf?
Rory McIlroy: Introducing a shot clock has been a fun challenge to adapt to. It made me really appreciate the extra time we have in outdoor golf to prepare for a shot, choose clubs, and read putts. 40 seconds forces you to think quickly and trust your instinct. That’s new for all of us in TGL, and it’s been a great experiment to watch unfold over the past two seasons.
Within the team, how do you select which line-up plays which hole?
Rory McIlroy: Naturally, every player has their own strengths and abilities, so we try to build a line-up that complements those as best we can. We’ll get a look at the course layout early in the week and build it from there, taking into account what suits each player, but also who’s played certain holes well before or feels comfortable with the tee shot. It’s a combination of a few things, but the goal is always to put each player in the best position to succeed.
What does TGL offer sports fans that traditional golf does not?
Rory McIlroy: From a fan perspective, it’s a completely different experience, particularly with the players mic’d up. You get real insight into how they think through shots and interact with each other. It brings you much closer to the action and gives fans a deeper appreciation for each player’s personality. Another aspect is that it’s a much faster game. A TGL match is played in just under two hours, versus about five hours in outdoor golf. That makes it a lot more manageable for people to watch.
You have a long-standing relationship with OMEGA—are you in the camp of playing with a watch on your wrist or not?
Rory McIlroy: I don’t usually play wearing a watch. That’s just how it’s always been for me. But I know other players who are perfectly comfortable wearing a timepiece on the course. Sometimes I’ll wear the Ultra Light, because OMEGA designed it specifically for sporting comfort. But for me, it’s usually the moment after a round when the OMEGA watch goes on. That’s where I can show my personality and style a bit more.
We’ve seen some pretty incredible OMEGA timepieces on your wrist. Personally, when or how do you decide to go Speedmaster or Seamaster?
Rory McIlroy: When I find a watch I love, I tend to wear it quite often—and for quite a long time. For example, I wore OMEGA’s Speedmaster Snoopy watch after the Masters win. I really love that watch and it was a daily part of my life during that period. It happened to match my blue outfit on the day, and so it just felt like the best personal choice for that particular moment. With watches, whether it’s a Speedmaster or a Seamaster, I tend to go with whatever I’m drawn to at the time.
Sticking with the theme of time, if you could time travel and go back and relive a moment in your career, where would you go?
Rory McIlroy: Some people probably think it would be the Masters win. But that was the toughest day I’ve ever had on a golf course, and I’m glad it’s over. I’d wanted it so badly, it was like slaying a dragon. In reality, I’ve always loved playing on iconic courses. Playing on each one feels like such a privilege, and those are the memories I most cherish.
What about travelling back to play a round again, with the chance to re-write history?
Rory McIlroy: Every golfer has days or shots they wish they could have played differently. But I think that’s part of the journey. Your destiny as a player is to go through difficult moments so that you can finally reach your dreams. I personally wouldn’t replay anything if I had the chance. I’ve learned from every disappointment, and I honestly think it has brought me to where I am.
Who is a celebrity that you’ve played with in a Pro-Am that genuinely surprised you at how good they were?
Rory McIlroy: When I played at the OMEGA Masters in 2019, there was a Pro-Am match before the main tournament. OMEGA brought a group of celebrities to play and I was quite impressed. Niall Horan is a good friend of mine and he played that day. He loves his golf, and it’s been impressive to see how much his game has improved; he swings it nicely. Justin Timberlake was in the group too, and I’m pretty sure he came out on top, so he can definitely play.
Back to TGL—who picked the Dropkick Murphys song “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” for your walk-on music?
Rory McIlroy: The suggestion came from our team partners at FSG (Fenway Sports Group). Obviously, we are the Boston team, and with the strong Irish ties in the city, it felt like a very fitting and fun walk-out song for us.