Rory McIlroy's message to his caddie at last year's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am proved spot on as the Northern Irishman went on to enjoy arguably his greatest year of golf. The legendary golfer is back in action this week at Pebble Beach, California, as part of a field of 80 professionals competing in the first PGA Signature Event of the season.

The 36-year-old is keen to make his mark at what also serves as his 2026PGA Tour debut. McIlroy’s triumph at the same event 12 months ago sparked what turned out to be perhaps his most successful season yet - and he'll be hoping history repeats itself.

That Pebble Beach victory ended a drought stretching back to the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, while extending his remarkable run to eight straight seasons with at least one PGA Tour win.

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

McIlroy grasped the importance of that moment immediately, having shared a pivotal exchange with his long-time caddieHarry Diamond, who has been carrying his bag since 2017. The conversation showed his determination to make the season a memorable one while also sending out a warning to his rivals.

• Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Tee times including Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood

• Justin Rose's staggering net worth now after golf icon reaches £55m total after record win

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page

McIlroy revealed: "I said to Harry (Diamond, his caddie) walking up the last, start as you mean to go on. I'm just as determined this year in any of the years I've been out here on the PGA Tour and to get this win this early means a great deal and hopefully just keep the momentum going into Torrey Pines in a couple of weeks' time."

Despite not having clinched a major since 2015, the Northern Irishman remained confident he was approaching peak form. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Yeah I'm close, I'm pretty close.

"I feel like I controlled my ball flight well in the crosswinds this week. I drove the ball really well. I think I'll always nitpick and there's always things about my game that I want to try to get better, because that's just who I am."

That mentality served him well as he added a second win the following month at The Players Championship, where he edged out JJ Spaun in a play-off to win the PGA Tour’s flagship event for the first time since 2019.

He then delivered what many consider the crowning moment of his career at Augusta National, defeating Justin Rose in a thrilling play-off to win his first elusive Masters and join an elite group as only the sixth player in history to complete the Grand Slam.

After a series of disappointments, McIlroy enjoyed an emotional homecoming at the K Club for the AmgenIrish Open in September, nine years after his last victory at the Irish venue, sinking a spectacular long-range eagle to force a play-off before claiming victory on the third extra play-off hole.

In the same month, McIlroy won an away Ryder Cup with Team Europe for the first time since 2012, clinching 3.5 points for Europe during their famous victory over the USA at Bethpage Black. He rounded off an unforgettable year by clinching the Race to Dubai for the seventh time, which will undoubtedly give him further encouragement this week.