Rory McIlroy is back after just a week respite from his Masters triumph. And it sounds like that week left little downtime for the 35-year-old.

McIlroy is teaming with friend Shane Lowry at this week’s Zurich Classic, as the two attempt to defend their 2024 New Orleans victory. But given McIlroy just completed his decade-long pursuit of the career Grand Slam in Augusta earlier this month, his press conference with the media on Wednesday focused on what McIlroy has done since he broke down at Augusta’s 18th hole.

“It’s not every day you get to fulfil one of your lifelong goals and dreams, and I’ve just really tried to enjoy everything that comes along with that,” McIlroy said. Related: Rory McIlroy, finally, is a Masters champ, now and forever

The Ulsterman said he travelled to London with his wife and daughter to check out the new residence they are building in the city, followed by a trip to Belfast to visit his parents, friends and family.

“Yeah, just to be with them, to be with Erica and Poppy and my mom and dad and to see Michael Bannon, my lifelong coach, and spend a bit more time with Harry and his wife and just celebrate with the people that have been a part of this whole thing for my entire career, my entire life was absolutely amazing,” McIlroy said. “As you can hear, I’ve picked up a bit of a cold on the way, so feeling a little bit under the weather. But obviously it’s been an amazing few days, but I’m excited and I’m happy to be here with my man, and we’re looking forward to a great week and trying to defend.”

McIlroy said people of all walks of life reached out to him following his Masters victory, including “two Presidents,” although he didn’t name which ones.

“People that you would never even think that would watch golf or would know what’s going on, that was very, very humbling,” McIlroy said. “I think people can see themselves in the struggle at times, and everything that you sort of try to put into getting the best out of yourself in that journey. I think people watching someone finally get it done, something they’ve been trying to do for a decade plus, I think it resonated with a lot of people.”

If there was one downside to the past week for McIlroy, it sounds like the clubs remained in the proverbial trunk.

“Today is a pretty important day for me. I need to start hitting some balls again and getting back into it,” McIlroy said. “Once I got back from Ireland on Sunday, then when I woke up Monday morning, I could barely get out of bed; I was feeling that bad.

“I think just to be here and feeling better is an achievement. But I need to put a little bit of practice and a bit of work in today to make sure that I don’t let [Shane] down this week.”

Main Image: Stephen Denton