Rory McIlroy reveals the Augusta tradition that stunned him most

And it won’t be the first time McIlroy has added an international flavour to Masters traditions. Last year, he made headlines when the green jacket appeared in places fans had never seen before.

But it wasn’t just about the photo opportunities – there were strict rules in place. Speaking on Stick to Football, McIlroy described the process of bringing the jacket outside of Augusta and what it meant for him personally.

“It stays in your locker. I played in India a few weeks ago and it was the first time that green jacket was ever in India,” McIlroy said when asked about winning The Masters.

“There’s dos and don’ts with it. You have to wear a certain shirt, club tie, certain trousers and dress shoes. You can’t wear trainers with it.”

This is all part of what makes Augusta so unique in golf. The traditions are tightly kept, and even past champions only get limited access around the club.

One special area is the champions’ locker room, where space is now so limited that sharing lockers has become necessary.

McIlroy, who shares his locker with two of golf’s most storied names – Ben Hogan and Ray Floyd – spoke about how this tradition adds another layer to what already makes winning at Augusta so special.

Ben Hogan and Raymond Floyd’s history at The Masters

When Rory McIlroy finally won The Masters, his reaction spoke volumes. You could almost see the weight lift off his shoulders.

But seeing his name next to Ben Hogan would have been another reminder of how important that win was. Hogan is one of the most iconic figures in golf.

He took home the title in both 1951 and 1953, finishing inside the top five an impressive nine times across 25 appearances at Augusta National.

Raymond Floyd also had an outstanding record at Augusta. He not only won in 1976 but also finished runner-up three times and made it into the top 10 on 11 occasions.

While McIlroy will never share a locker room with legends like Hogan, Palmer or Ballesteros, returning to Augusta National as a past champion ahead of the 2026 event will no doubt still be a special moment for him.