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Rory McIlroy closing in on Tiger Woods record

Rory McIlroy became the first golfer to win back-to-back Masters since Tiger Woods in 2001-02.

McIlroy winning back-to-back Masters titles and his sixth major further solidifies his status as one of the best golfers ever, but he’s also closing in on Woods’ record. By winning the Masters, McIlroy takes home a winner’s check of $4.5 million, which increases his career earnings to $114.69 million.

By taking home $4.5 million at the Masters, McIlroy is now just $6.3 million behind Woods for all-time career earnings through tournaments only. Of course, both golfers have made millions through sponsorships, but McIlroy could just be a few tournaments away from surpassing Woods as the all-time money leader in PGA Tour history.

Scottie Scheffler is third at $103.2 million, as Woods, McIlroy, and Scheffler are the only three golfers above $100 million in career earnings.

McIlroy turned professional in 2007 and won his first PGA Tour event in 2010, and won his first major at the 2011 U.S. Open.

In his stellar golf career, McIlroy has won 30 times on Tour and has six majors. He accomplished the career Grand Slam last year by winning the Masters. McIlroy is also a three-time PGA Tour Player of the Year.

Rory McIlroy Grateful for Masters Win

McIlroy overcame plenty of demons last year at Augusta when he won the Masters. And, a year later, he became the first golfer since Woods to go back-to-back.

Following his win on April 12, McIlroy admitted he was grateful for the victory and believes all the hard work at this golf course is paying off.

“I can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and [then] I get two in a row,” McIlroy said. “I think all my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off.”

McIlroy did turn heads earlier this week by revealing he took a private jet multiple times to play Augusta before the Masters.

“I did a couple of days where I dropped Poppy to school, flew up here, played, landed back home and had dinner with her — or had dinner with Erica probably,” McIlroy said. “Like I did a couple of day trips like that where I felt it was a better use of my time than going to Houston or San Antonio.”

McIlroy, meanwhile, said he’d rather practice this golf course than play the other three events on the PGA Tour.

“I honestly just don’t like the three tournaments leading up to this event,” McIlroy added. “I’d rather come up here (to Augusta).”

The practice ended up paying off as McIlroy has won back-to-back Masters.

McIlroy’s Wife Pissed Off About Woods

McIlroy’s new book, Rory: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf’s Most Human Superstar, revealed that his wife Erica was pissed off at Tiger Woods.

The book, which was written by Alan Shipnuck, dives into McIlroy’s relationship with Woods, and it reveals that Woods would text him in the middle of the night, which pissed Erica off.

“He can’t sleep so that’s all he does — he reads stuff and educates himself on everything,” McIlroy said in the book. “But he struggles to sleep, which I think is an effect of overtraining, so I tell him to calm down sometimes. He’d be texting me at four o’clock in the morning: ‘Up lifting. What are you doing?’ …

“Erica actually got pissed off with it,” McIlroy said in the book. “He was texting me in the middle of the night and I was like, ‘Tiger is in the gym.’”

Ultimately, the sleepless nights have paid off for both McIlroy and Woods.