[Photo: J.D. Cuban]
In golf, you cannot win them all, and you cannot win them all over. Rory McIlroy certainly knows this as well as anyone. For every major victory like what we saw on Sunday at the Masters, there is a major heartbreak in his illustrious career. And despite being a media darling and fan favourite for the most part, he certainly has his detractors out there.
That came up in a strange way this past week, following McIlroy’s comments about his preparation for this year’s Masters. The 36-year-old said that in the lead-up to the tournament, he had some quick trips to Augusta National.
RELATED: How Rory McIlroy learned how to turn regretful misses into major triumphs
“I did a couple of days where I dropped daughter Poppy to school, flew up here, played, landed back home and had dinner with Poppy and wife Erica,” McIlroy said on Friday after taking a record six-shot lead through 36 holes.
But while you would expect a comment like that to get environmentalists up in arms over McIlroy’s private jet use, it instead led to complaints that McIlroy had an unfair advantage because he had such strong access to the course leading up to the event. There is just one problem with that. Everyone who receives an invitation can schedule practice rounds well ahead of the tournament.
Kevin Kisner certainly knows that as an eight-time Masters participant. And on the latest episode of Barstool’s Foreplay podcast, the four-time PGA Tour winner and NBC golf analyst called that take “the dumbest argument I have ever seen in my life.” Here are Kisner’s full thoughts on the matter.
“I thought it was the dumbest argument I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Kiz weighs in on the Rory practice round debate and gives a behind-the-scenes look at course access leading up to majors.
Presented by @Chevrolet pic.twitter.com/4lKURW1MtY
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) April 13, 2026
Kisner acknowledges that as a defending champion, McIlroy might be able to come and go more as he pleases, and having a private jet is always an advantage, but that everyone has plenty of chances to play practice rounds there. And that he himself would play “probably 10 times a year leading up to the Masters.” It helps that he lives in nearby Aiken, but that is still a lot.
So there you have it. Spread the word to all the casual golf fans out there that Rory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters fair and square.
RELATED: Here’s what Rory McIlroy figured out during his late-night range session
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In golf, you cannot win them all, and you cannot win them all over. Rory McIlroy certainly knows this as well as anyone. For every major victory like what we saw on Sunday at the Masters, there is a major heartbreak in his illustrious career. And despite being a media darling and fan favourite for the most part, he certainly has his detractors out there.
That came up in a strange way this past week, following McIlroy’s comments about his preparation for this year’s Masters. The 36-year-old said that in the lead-up to the tournament, he had some quick trips to Augusta National.
RELATED: How Rory McIlroy learned how to turn regretful misses into major triumphs
“I did a couple of days where I dropped daughter Poppy to school, flew up here, played, landed back home and had dinner with Poppy and wife Erica,” McIlroy said on Friday after taking a record six-shot lead through 36 holes.
But while you would expect a comment like that to get environmentalists up in arms over McIlroy’s private jet use, it instead led to complaints that McIlroy had an unfair advantage because he had such strong access to the course leading up to the event. There is just one problem with that. Everyone who receives an invitation can schedule practice rounds well ahead of the tournament.
Kevin Kisner certainly knows that as an eight-time Masters participant. And on the latest episode of Barstool’s Foreplay podcast, the four-time PGA Tour winner and NBC golf analyst called that take “the dumbest argument I have ever seen in my life.” Here are Kisner’s full thoughts on the matter.
“I thought it was the dumbest argument I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Kiz weighs in on the Rory practice round debate and gives a behind-the-scenes look at course access leading up to majors.
Presented by @Chevrolet pic.twitter.com/4lKURW1MtY
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) April 13, 2026
Kisner acknowledges that as a defending champion, McIlroy might be able to come and go more as he pleases, and having a private jet is always an advantage, but that everyone has plenty of chances to play practice rounds there. And that he himself would play “probably 10 times a year leading up to the Masters.” It helps that he lives in nearby Aiken, but that is still a lot.
So there you have it. Spread the word to all the casual golf fans out there that Rory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters fair and square.
RELATED: Here’s what Rory McIlroy figured out during his late-night range session
