Charles Barkley may be known as a basketball player and analyst, but he also keeps a keen eye on golf, which recently triggered a reaction from him. And it was none other than Rory McIlroy who lured the "mad" reaction out of him during his Masters run.

Barkley spoke about his interest in the 2026 Masters during the April 14 episode of TNT Sports' The Steam Room podcast. Being a golf enthusiast, he wanted to watch intense competition on the Augusta National course. However, by the end of Friday, 10 April, McIlroy had already established a six-stroke lead, which frustrated Barkley as it somewhat ensured a comfortable victory for the Northern Ireland native.

The former Phoenix Suns No. 34 expressed his mental state, saying, “Friday night, when I went to bed, I was so mad at Rory McIlroy. I was like, ‘Damn, he’s going to ruin my whole weekend.’ Even if he had a big lead, I was going to watch anyway. But I was so mad [and] I was fuming.”

Subsequently, he clarified the reason behind his frustration himself. "He’s got a six-shot lead? You know what, it'd be great to have him (win) back to back," said the former Suns power forward.

McIlroy's commanding lead in the early stage was enough to drain the suspense of the Masters tournament. It also caused viewers like Barkley to predict an easy victory for him.

But as the weekend unfolded, that narrative began to shift.

Rory McIlroy’s Journey From Dominance to Drama Ahead of His Masters Victory

A turning point arrived when McIlroy stumbled early, which led to opening the door for more competition. Barkley noted that moment perfectly, saying, "When he bogeyed hole one, I said, 'Woo, this could get interesting. It’s going to be a shootout.'”

That single moment changed the whole tone of the tournament. What looked like a comfortable victory for McIlroy suddenly became a test of composure under intense pressure. His mistakes had him looking at the scoreboard frequently.

However, he regained control at Amen Corner: Augusta's three-hole stretch from the 11th to the 13th. Two strong tee shots at the 12th and the 13th holes provided him with enough edge to leave all others behind and win his second consecutive Masters title.

So, while Barkley was frustrated about McIlroy's seemingly unbreakable lead, the exciting end to the event may not leave much for him to complain about.

Did you also have a Barkley-esque reaction to McIlroy's early lead at the Masters this year?

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Written by

Hetal Moleshri

Edited by

Souvik Roy