Rory McIlroy relies on his private jet to optimize recovery ahead of defending his Masters title next month. The golf star battles a persistent back injury that forced his withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this month.
Recent Comeback and Performance
McIlroy returned at The Players Championship last week, arriving less than 24 hours before tee time at TPC Sawgrass following late treatment. He finished T46, a lackluster defense of his title, but prioritized assessing his physical state post-round.
The 36-year-old competed in TGL golf this week, where Boston Common fell to Jupiter Links GC, leading to his elimination. He plans last-minute decisions on pre-Masters events, securing three weeks of rest before the tournament begins April 9.
Luxury Gulfstream G650ER Ownership
McIlroy owns a 2022 Gulfstream G650ER, a five-time major champion’s frequent travel choice. Flight enthusiasts have monitored the jet, including its landing in Augusta on March 24 last year before departing for Houston.
This aircraft enables late calls on Masters participation, maximizing rehab time. The G650ER holds over 125 world speed records and ranks among the most reliable business jets, with more than 500 in service.
Pre-owned models range from $40 million (£30 million) to over $60 million (£45 million), while new ones reach about $78 million (£58 million), varying by configuration and year. McIlroy’s jet costs around £38 million.
Unmatched Onboard Comfort
The G650ER seats 13 to 16 passengers across 3.5 to four living quarters. Select configurations convert seats into beds, and 16 panoramic oval windows flood the cabin with natural light.
McIlroy’s Injury Update
After The Players Championship, McIlroy shared: “I haven’t really made a decision either way. I’ll see how my body feels. We’ll see how I feel in practice and at home and if I get itchy feet maybe I’ll add an event at some point. I feel like it was important to make the weekend here and play an extra couple of days. Just see how the next week goes, see how once I get back to a full practice schedule and in the gym and stuff like that, see how my body reacts to that … and then I’ll see. Happy I got through four days and my body feels good. I feel like my game sort of progressively got a little bit better as the week went on, even though the scores probably didn’t reflect it over the weekend. I hit the ball well. I just didn’t make anything on the greens. Happy to come through four rounds and feel like my body held up well.”
