Nearly a fortnight ago the stars aligned and Rory McIlroy’s name was written into golfing history as he ended his decade-long major drought with a first ever Masters win at Augusta National and became just the sixth golfer in history to complete the career Grand Slam.

After just a short celebratory break, McIlroy is now set to return to action alongside his friend and fellow Irishman Shane Lowry as they vie to defend their Zurich Classic title in Louisiana this weekend.

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Since the Holywood native was adorned with that Green Jacket after a tormentedly tumultuous Sunday, April 13th, discussion has been raging about whether finally crossing the Masters bridge could see McIlroy freed of his shackles and set for another sensational stint atop world golf. The consensus was clear – more victories lie in wait.

Some instantly began dreaming of the Open in Portrush, others were adding potential major wins on by the half-dozen, while the bravest dared to dream of all four majors returning to Co. Down in the same twelve month stretch.

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Brilliant McIlory joke shows how much the Masters has changed his mentality

While we’re some ways off more major wins yet, Rory McIlroy has rarely been as relaxed as he was on Wednesday afternoon when he and Lowry fronted up in front of the assembled media at the Zurich Classic.

Like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders, Rory McIlroy joked and slagged his way through the twenty-minute interview, abandoning the serious and golf-centric attitude that had come with the pain of so many major upsets over the last decade.

No moment was as telling as when McIlroy let his hair down and joked about the agonising putt he missed to win the Masters in regulation on Augusta National’s 18th green.

You know, Shane used a new putter here last year for the first time, he held that putt in regulation that got us into the playoff.

As Clara’s Lowry brushed off the length of the putt as minuscule, McIlroy hit back with some surprisingly self-deprecating humour about his host of famous missed putts on the biggest stage, earning cries of laughter from the room.

Hey I’ve certainly missed shorter.

Although McIlroy is yet to swing a club or strike a ball since his famous Grand Slam victory, the 35-year-old certainly appears to be approaching the golf course in a more relaxed fashion than we’ve ever seen. Just four weeks ago, the prospect of McIlroy laughing about the moment that looked destined to either make or break his career would have been unbelievable.  Yet, ten days on from a moment that could’ve just as easily been the worst in McIlroy’s career, he looks more refreshed than ever.

Aside from any major hopes, both he and Lowry will be hoping that change in mindset translates to the golf course where they’ll be kicking off their pairs title defence against Billy Horschel and Tom Hoge on Thursday afternoon.

SEE ALSO: Rory McIlroy Provides Details On Emotional Homecoming After Masters Win