Rory McIlroy tipped to receive exclusive honour at Augusta after becoming two-time Masters winner

Rory McIlroy has been tipped to join Jack Nicklaus and several other golfing legends in becoming a full member at Augusta National.

On Sunday evening, six-time major champion McIlroy claimed a Green Jacket for the second consecutive year after he recorded a one-shot victory over another former winner, Scottie Scheffler.

The 36-year-old's preparation for the tournament continues to be a talking point. Leading up to the event, McIlroy would fly to Augusta in his private jet, play a practice round, and be home in time for dinner.

“I joked last week and going into this week, this place feels like my home course," he said after becoming a two-time Masters winner. "I haven’t played anywhere else in the last two or three weeks, so I felt prepared in that way."

Every winner of the Masters is deemed an honorary member, meaning they are allowed to take part in practice rounds with an Augusta National member ahead of the tournament.

However, that does not give them the same privileges as full members.

Rory McIlroy and his caddy, Harry Diamond, with the Masters trophy. Image credit: Getty

In total, Augusta is believed to have around 300 full members, an exclusive list that includes Bill Gates, Peyton Manning and Annika Sorenstam, who became the first LPGA pro to be welcomed as a member in 2023.

Sorenstam is among a select few golfers to have received an invitation, with Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw and four-time winner Arnold Palmer also earning the honour.

Very few have been handed an invite to join golf's most exclusive club, although golf reporter Dan Rapaport believes McIlroy will become the next player to become an exclusive member at Augusta National.

Speaking on the Dan on Golf podcast, Rapaport said: "I think Rory McIlroy will become the next in a very, very short list of professional golfers who become members of Augusta National.

"I'm not just talking about past champions who are honorary members, I'm talking like a full on member of the club. Jack Nicklaus is a member, Ben Crenshaw is a member, Arnold [Palmer] was a member, Annika Sorenstam is a member.

"I think Rory will. He's now a multiple Masters winner. If you think about the other multiple Masters winners in our generation,

"I don't think Tiger is getting it, a little too much off the course stuff. I don't think Phil [Mickelson] is getting it, a little too much off the course stuff. I don't think Bubba [Watson] is getting it, doesn't scream Augusta member."

Rapaport added: "I think Rory is kind of the perfect ambassador for Augusta National. I think he's going to get it."