Rory McIlroy admits he will never tire of signing Masters flags - even after buying every last one in Augusta’s gift shop following his long-awaited triumph in April.

The Northern Irishman revealed this week that, before leaving Augusta National, he scooped up all 1,100 pin flags remaining in the Masters merchandise shop.

“And we took all 1,100,” McIlroy said with a smile on Tuesday ahead of the Tour Championship.

“It’s been a lot, but I’ll never get sick of signing them.

Rory McIlroy admits he will never tire of signing Masters flags - even after buying every last one in Augusta’s gift shop following his long-awaited triumph in April

"I’ve waited 17 years to sign that flag in the middle, and I will never complain about doing it.”

In golf tradition, only the Masters champion is permitted to sign his name inside the outline of the United States on the famous logo.

For McIlroy, finally doing so after years of near misses was the most satisfying autograph of his career.

Four months have passed since his birdie at the first playoff hole edged out Justin Rose, sealing both the green jacket and his career Grand Slam.

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While he has not lifted another trophy since, McIlroy insists that the thrill of being Masters champion hasn’t dulled.

“It doesn’t get old,” he said. “I’ve already planned some trips back down there.

"One with my dad, a couple with friends, and I’m looking forward to being back.”

What has caught him by surprise, however, is how little he has actually worn the most famous item in his wardrobe.

Rory McIlroy was pushed all the way by Justin Rose at the Masters back in April

Masters champions only keep the green jacket for a year before it returns to Augusta’s champions’ locker room, but McIlroy admitted he expected to parade in it far more often.

“I wore it all night until about 3.30am when I went to bed, then woke up and saw it draped over a chair. That was the moment when it really hit me - that it wasn’t just a dream,” he said.

“But I’m reluctant to wear it. I don’t have it on as much as I thought I would.

"It’s hanging in my wardrobe where I can see it every day, but it’s not like I’m walking around the house in it.”

There have been only a handful of public appearances in the jacket - most notably during a brief stop at the Association of Golf Writers’ dinner during the Open.

Otherwise, McIlroy has been content to keep it close, waiting for the right moment.

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“I’ve always said some of my favourite times at Augusta were when it wasn’t Masters week,” he explained.

“But next time I go, it’ll be lovely to walk into the champions’ locker room, put on the jacket and finally feel like I belong.”