Rory McIlroy Masters practice rounds, explained: Inside defending champ's unconventional jet-setting prep

While every athlete has their own way of warming up before a big game or event, Rory McIlroy's prep ahead of the 2026 Masters certainly stands alone.

Thanks to his 2025 Green Jacket, McIlroy gained the ability to schedule practice rounds at Augusta National before teeing off on Thursday's opening round. The extra practice seemed to serve him well, as he entered Saturday with a record-breaking six-stroke 36-hole lead and sat at 12-under.

McIlroy will be looking to be the first back-to-back Masters winner since Tiger Woods (2001–02), and it all starts with practice.

Here's an inside look at McIlroy's new training techniques, which involved frequent day trips to Augusta National.

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Rory McIlroy practice round routine

Ahead of this year at Augusta National, McIlroy became more familiar with the course than ever before. He explained that he felt that his time was better served by playing a practice round at the home of the Masters, versus playing at the other tournaments on the PGA schedule. Here is what McIlroy said at a Masters press conference.

“I did a couple of days where I dropped Poppy to school, flew up here, played, landed back home and had dinner with her — or had dinner with Erica probably,” McIlroy said. “Like I did a couple of day trips like that where I felt it was a better use of my time than going to Houston or San Antonio.”

While it certainly created a hectic back-and-forth day for McIlroy, the practice seems to have paid off through the first two rounds of this year's Masters. He finished six strokes in the lead, at 12-under.

As a former Masters champion, winning last year's Green Jacket, McIlroy has the luxury of getting a tee time at Augusta National prior to the Masters.

MORE: Rory McIlroy majors timeline

Can pro golfers play Augusta whenever they want?

No, not every pro golfer can play at Augusta for a standard tee time. As one of the most exclusive golf clubs in America, and even the world, there are precursors to who can tee off from the club.

When a golfer wins the Masters, they gain the opportunity to set up a tee time whenever they please at Augusta National. While McIlroy was unable to do this ahead of his 2025 victory, he gained the luxury to prepare for this year's tournament at the course where he won his first Green Jacket.

MORE: How did Rory McIlroy hurt his back?

Masters champion perks

While many know about the famed Green Jacket for winning at Augusta National, there are 10 total perks a golfer earns by winning the Masters. Here is the full list:

• A Green Jacket. Repeat winners do not get another Green Jacket; they can only get the original Green Jacket tailored, if applicable.
• A lifetime exemption to the Masters Tournament
• Entrance to and a locker in the Champions Locker Room.
• The golfer's name permanently engraved on the Masters Trophy, which remains at Augusta National.
• A sterling silver replica of the Masters Trophy.
• A gold medal with an etched-in view of the Clubhouse.
• Hosting the following year’s Champions Dinner, including creating the menu.
• A gold locket, presented to the champion at the Champions Dinner.
• Five-year exemptions into the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.

How do most golfers prepare for the Masters?

Most golfers don't have the opportunity to prepare at Augusta National ahead of their rounds at the Masters. The main way for the field to practice is by playing at PGA tournaments prior to the Masters.

In March, a month before teeing off in Augusta, there are five PGA events: the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, the Puerto Rico Open, The Players Championship, the Valspar Championship, and the Texas Children's Houston Open.

MORE: Rory McIlroy's family tree

What tournaments did Rory McIlroy skip?

McIlroy opted not to tee it up during competition in the weeks leading up to the Masters.

This season, he opted to skip the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship, Texas Children’s Houston Open and the Valero Texas Open.

Does Rory McIlroy own a jet?

Yes, McIlroy owns his own private jet. He is equipped with a 2022 Gulfstream G650ER.

The aircraft is estimated to be worth $38.5 million pre-owned, making it an extreme luxury to have at one's disposal. According to Private Jet Card Comparisons, there were only 131 active G650ERs as of December 2024.

Prior to the Gulfstream, he previously owned a Bombardier Challenger 605 valued at $30 million. 

Rory McIlroy net worth

During this year's Masters Tournament, the Augusta Chronicle reported that McIlroy's net worth is "estimated to be north of $200 million, but the exact figure fluctuates depending on the source."

Other sources, such as Celebrity Net Worth, estimate his worth to be as high as $250 million.

To date, McIlroy has won $110,196,641 in golf earnings.

MORE: What was on the menu for Rory McIlroy's Champions Dinner?