How Rory McIlroy’s unconventional Masters prep – involving $50m personal jet and ‘dinner with Erica’ – is fueling record-breaking begin at Augusta
Rory McIlroy has revealed the secret behind his dominant form at the 2026 Masters.
The defending champion has been making use of his $50million (£38m) private jet to fly back and forth to Augusta National for extra practice sessions on the course.
While most golfers hunker down in Georgia for the week, McIlroy is opting to fly back to his Florida mansion every evening to maintain his routine.
The Northern Irishman revealed that the strategy allows him to stay connected to his family, specifically his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy.
He said: ‘I honestly just don’t like the three tournaments leading up to this event. I’d rather come up here. I did a couple of days where I dropped Poppy to school.
‘Then flew up here, played, landed back home and had dinner with her or had dinner with Erica.’
Rory McIlroy stormed into the largest halfway lead in Masters history at Augusta on Friday
McIlroy and Stoll also made sure to pose for a picture alongside their daughter, Poppy
The 530-mile trek from his home in Jupiter, Florida, to the hallowed grounds of Augusta typically takes around two hours each way in the air.
Despite the travel time, McIlroy believes the mental benefits of sleeping in his own bed far outweigh the exhaustion of a cross-state commute.
The star, who is currently seeking to become the first player since Tiger Woods to win back-to-back Green Jackets, is clearly in a relaxed headspace.
His preparation is paying off on the scorecard, with McIlroy sitting at an astonishing 12-under par following a clinical second-round performance.
The luxury jet, which he purchased in late 2024, can sit up to 19 passengers and features plush sofas designed for maximum comfort and legroom.
However, the convenience comes with a staggering price tag, with reports suggesting the aircraft costs roughly $4,000 (£3,000) per hour to operate.
A single day of practice – including four hours of total flight time – can rack up bills of up to $16,000 (£12,000) for the world’s most famous active golfer.
Beyond the financial cost, the trips have drawn some scrutiny regarding the environmental impact of such frequent, short-term private aviation.
Four hours of flying time in a private jet can produce up to eight to 16 metric tonnes of CO2.
Dozens of private jets had already arrived at Augusta Regional Airport by Monday afternoon
Before the action began at the Masters, PrivateJet.com director of charter sales, Michael Loff, gave the Daily Mail a glimpse of how the other half live.
He explained that many visitors asked for planes with enough space to fit their own clubs. Such as the King Air 350, which comes with wing lockers originally designed for skis. On one of those, it’s barely a two-hour trip from Palm Beach or the South Carolina paradise of Hilton Head.
And yet? Take a King Air 350 to and from the Masters and it will set you back around $15-18,000. A bigger jet comes with a bigger price tag of $30,000 plus.
Parking spots are at a premium and at major sporting events – such as the Masters or the Super Bowl – airports will slap on ‘special event fees’. At Augusta airport this week, they range from $150 to $4,000, depending on the aircraft’s size.
