Rory McIlroy Reveals Secret Green Jacket Rules He Must Follow After Masters Win

Rory McIlroy has revealed the green jacket rule he’s had to follow after winning the 2025 Masters.

McIlroy, 36, had a stellar 2025 during which he finally secured the career Grand Slam 11 years on from his last major championship back in 2014.

The Northern Irishman became just the sixth golfer and first European to achieve the coveted feat of winning The Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship when he triumphed at Augusta National in April.

The 36-year-old also played a leading role in Europe’s first Ryder Cup victory in the United States in 13 years and earned three and a half points en route to the away team’s historic triumph.

He also enjoyed further success at the Players Championship, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the Race to Dubai to round off an iconic year before he was also named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2025.

Among all of the achievements he realised in 2025, The Masters will likely be the one that McIlroy will look back on with most fondness, given the fact that it had previously evaded him since his first appearance at the tournament in 2009.

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Rory McIlroy won the Masters in 2025 (Credit:Getty)

McIlroy joined an exclusive club of previous Masters winners who have claimed the prestigious green jacket, with the first garment awarded to 1949 winner Sam Snead.

Golf legends such as six-time champion Jack Nicklaus, five-time champion Tiger Woods, and four-time champion Arnold Palmer are among the list of names to have worn the green jacket.

But something fans may not know is that green jacket holders have to follow a strict rule after winning The Masters.

Speaking on Stick to Football, former Manchester United captain Gary Neville asked the golfer where he hangs his green jacket, to which McIlroy replied: “Just in my wardrobe.”

Ex-Arsenal forward Ian Wright then asked whether he had to bring it back.

“No, so you’ve gotta bring it back,” McIlroy answered.

“The only person that’s allowed to bring the green jacket off the premises [of The Masters] is the champion for a year.”

“So, you don’t get to keep the green jacket?” Neville questioned.

“So it stays in the club, it stays in your locker,” McIlroy explained.

Wright then questioned if there were any further rules that the Northern Irishman had to comply with.

McIlroy then revealed that players have to sign a “legal document” to take it out of the club.

“There’s does and don’ts with it,” he added.

“You have to wear a certain shirt, a club tie, and certain trousers… only dress shoes, you can’t wear trainers.”

The 2026 Masters gets underway on April 9. Just three players – Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Woods - have previously defended the title, but McIlroy will no doubt be aiming to become the fourth man to do so.