Rory McIlroy said he never considered skipping this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans after winning the Masters because he believes winning the team event with good friend Shane Lowry a year ago helped propel him to finally completing the career Grand Slam.

Rory McIlroy is barely a week and a half from the defining victory of his professional life, and he’s still riding the shock waves and coasting on the glory of a green jacket. “It's not every day you get to fulfill one of your lifelong goals and dreams,” he said Wednesday, “and I've just really tried to enjoy everything that comes along with that.”

McIlroy, fresh off celebrating his career Grand Slam, is in New Orleans with partner Shane Lowry to defend their title in the Zurich.