Folks, buckle up! What recently unfolded at the Masters in Augusta wasn't just golf history, but is still causing plenty of discussion days later. Rory McIlroy not only snatched the Green Jacket, but won the whole thing for the second time in a row!
Rory triumphed by just one stroke, making him only the fourth golfer ever to achieve this incredible feat. The special thing about his preparation: He simply spent the three weeks before the tournament entirely at Augusta National, foregoing other events. His reasoning? He "just doesn't like the three tournaments before this event." Fair enough!
Unfair Advantages or Just Envy?
Naturally, this special preparation stirred up emotions. Some commentators, most notably ESPN icon Stephen A. Smith, saw an "unfair advantage" in it. Rory's detailed course knowledge and extensive practice time on site – for many, that sounded like an unfair game. However, Smith later backtracked, calling the discussion "the dumbest argument I've ever seen." From a rules perspective, everything was perfectly legitimate, that much is clear.
The Pros Stick Together
The defense from within the ranks wasn't long in coming. PGA Tour colleague Kevin Kisner agreed with Smith that the criticism was completely baseless. However, it was Michael Kim, who himself competed in the Masters in 2026, albeit missing the cut, who spoke out particularly strongly. Kim publicly dismantled the "unfair advantage" narrative on social media and clearly stated his position.
