Rory McIlroy keeps precious reward which is usually reserved for caddies

Superstar golfer Rory McIlroy has built a shrine of 18th hole flags in his home gym.

The Northern Irishman has 38 professional wins to his name from a glittering 17-year career – and he is far from done.

World no.2 McIlroy has been stuck on four majors since his PGA Championship win in 2014.

And the 34-year-old recently revealed how he motivates himself towards future success.

“Yeah, so I know a lot of players give their caddies the flags from the 18th greens,” McIlroy said ahead of the Cognizant Classic, live on talkSPORT 2.

“But I like to keep those, and they’re all in my gym, sort of more for motivation.

“I go in there and I see all the flags on the wall and I want to add flags to those walls. That’s my motivation. The trophies are really cool and great to look at them and see all the names that came before you. That’s amazing.

“But just for pure motivation. And I think it’s sort of like a double-edged sword.

“You look at these things and it’s a nice moment to reflect on what you achieved, but it’s also really good motivation in terms of what you still want to do in the game.”

Top of that list is winning a Green Jacket at the Masters.

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McIlroy can become only the sixth golfer in history to claim the career grand slam with a victory at Augusta in April, after 14 attempts and seven top-ten finishes during his career.

The golfer recently joked he would call it a day if he finally gets that elusive Masters title.

McIlroy said: “I turned pro in 2007 so this is my 17th year. Another 17 years and I’ll be 51.

“So yeah, I’d say I’m pretty close to the turn at this point. If not, a little bit after. Maybe I’m on the tenth green or the 11th tee.”

When asked if he can maintain the same hunger for the next 17 years, McIlroy responded: “For the next 17, no. For the next ten, absolutely. 17 feels like a stretch.”

He then joked: “Or just get a green jacket and walk away!”

Golf fans are set to get a closer look at McIlroy’s desperate pursuit of major glory when the second season of ‘Full Swing’ is released on Netflix.

Coming out on March 6, the PGA Tour docuseries goes behind-the-scenes as the Northern Irishman endures a tenth-consecutive year without winning one of golf’s four big events.

After missing the cut at the Masters, McIlroy finished top-ten in the remaining three majors, including a runner-up finish at the US Open.

His 2023 season will be remembered for a sensational 4-1-0 display in Rome as Europe regained the Ryder Cup – with Netflix set to delve deeper into that infamous clash with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava.