“I probably won’t be quite as on edge…” Rory McIlroy believes the pressure is firmly off his shoulders heading into the PGA Championship now he’s won The Masters and completed golf’s career grand slam.

Rory with Poppy and Erica at The Masters

Rory McIlroy believes he will be a “better” person to be around for his wife Erica and daughter Poppy when he enters next week’s PGA Championship now that he’s finally completed the career grand slam at The Masters. 

McIlroy, who turned 36 last week, is making his first individual start on the PGA Tour this week since slipping on the coveted Green Jacket to become just the sixth player in the men’s game to achieve golf immortality.

The World No.2 is defending his title at the Truist Championship, a new title sponsor hosting an event on a different golf course to normal since Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte is hosting next week’s PGA Championship.

This week’s $20m Signature Event on the PGA Tour is being staged for the first time at Philadelphia Cricket Club.  McIlroy is defending at the Truist [PGA Tour]

When pressed by a reporter as to whether he intends to mentally approach things any differently heading into the PGA on a golf course he has won a record four times, the five-time major champion smiled and nodded, knowing full well the shackles are off now.

“I think there’s a few things,” replied McIlroy, who captured his first major title in nearly 11 years at The Masters last month.

“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.

“Yeah, it probably will feel a little bit different.

“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.

“I’ll probably be a little bit better to be around for my family, and I’ll be a little more relaxed.

“I think overall it will be a good thing.”  McIlroy with Poppy and Erica

McIlroy is a warm 4/1 tournament favourite to successfully defend the Truist Championship this week.

The task has been made easier for him given World No.1 Scottie Scheffler has decided to take the week off to best prepare for the PGA.

McIlroy is priced up a bit bigger to win the PGA at odds of 11/2, narrowly behind 9/2 favourite Scheffler, who last week trounced his rivals by eight shots for his first PGA Tour title of the season at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

Jordan Spieth will now be attempting to emulate the feat of McIlroy next week at the PGA Championship and become the seventh player to join the career grand slam club.  Jordan Spieth

Spieth will fancy his chances of going close, especially off the back of four top-20 finishes on the PGA Tour heading into this week’s Truist Championship.

The three-time major champion chalked up his second top-five finish of the season with a solo fourth behind Scheffler at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson last week.

GOLF’s Jack Hirsh shared a hilarious exchange between Spieth and McIlroy on the range during their Wednesday practice session.

Hirsh tweeted: “Jordo just congratulated Rory on the Masters/Grand Slam win and Rory said it would be his turn next week. “Yea, at Rory McIlroy Country Club…”

As for McIlroy’s plan of attack for this week’s new venue, Philadelphia Cricket Club, the Northern Irishman intends to bash his TaylorMade Qi10 Driver just about everywhere.