Rory McIlroy has revealed Tiger Woods, and Sir Elton John reached out to congratulate him on his victory in Masters at Augusta National.
McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a Play -Off to become the sixth man – and the first European – to win each of Golf’s four majors at least once.
The Nordirishmand ended his career Grand Slam at the 11th attempt and 11 years after his previous great title – PGA championship in 2014 in Valhalla.
“Woods said, ‘Welcome to the Club, Child’, who was just so cool,” McIlroy said, talking about The Tonight Show Hosted by Jimmy Fallon.
“There are only six people who have ever achieved the career grand slam in golf, and there are only four of us living.
“Gary Player, 90 years old, Jack Nicklaus, who is 86 years old, and then Woods and myself, so it’s really cool to be part of something similar.”
British singer-songwriter Sir Elton John also congratulated McIlroy with his historic victory, the 35-year-old revealed.
“I was overwhelmed by the people who reached all different walks of life, whether it was culture or entertainment,” McIlroy added.
“But the one who got me was Sir Elton John, it was incredible.
“I haven’t actually been able to get in touch with him yet. It was his assistant who left me an answering machine and said Elton John would like to congratulate you personally.
“The only problem is that he doesn’t have a mobile phone, so you might get a call from a number in Windsor from a landline.
“He’s an icon. It’s great. I mean, I didn’t even know Elton John knew what golf was.”
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At that moment Scottie Scheffler placed the green jacket on McIlroy when he was crowned for 2025 Masters Champion
McIlroy revealed that he had seen Bridgerton and read a John Grisham novel to help him turn off the pressure from Augusta.
He also said he began to wonder if he would ever achieve the career grand slam, despite trying to approach the masters with a positive attitude every time.
“Everyone came up to me and they were like, ‘Oh, you don’t know what you sat through that Sunday’. I was like, ‘How do you think I felt?'” McIlroy said.
“Seriously, it was so emotional. I was just thinking, ‘Thank you that is over’. It was 17. It was 17.
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See the highlights of McIlroy’s Rollercoaster Round to win Masters in a Play-off against Justin Rose
“So it was 14 years since that, 11 years of trying to achieve my career Grand Slam. I go back every year, put my positive hat on, go with a good attitude and every time I travel that Sunday night and it wouldn’t happen.
“You start to think it will ever be your time. Have I missed it, I lost my opportunity? I think there is a good message in there to never give up, continue to return, be strong, be resistant. This patience paid off.”
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