Rory McIlroy delayed the traditional media round that Masters champions usually do. Normally, it takes place in the days following the victory, but the Northern Irishman is doing it now. During these appearances, he has offered some interesting reflections on what has happened in his life since he completed the Grand Slam.
The first thing McIlroy did after winning the green jacket was return to his native Northern Ireland to see his parents and friends. But afterwards, he was in New York showing off that coveted jacket to make several television appearances, including yesterday, Thursday, on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
McIlroy shared how it felt to finally win the Masters and mentioned some of the people who have reached out to him since then. It was then that Fallon asked him what Tiger Woods had written to him. It turns out it was only five words. But they meant a lot to McIlroy.
“He said: ‘Welcome to the club, kid’,” McIlroy recounted. “Which was just awesome.”
The club, of course, is that of the Grand Slam winners. And it is one of the most exclusive groups there is.
“Only six people in history have achieved the Grand Slam in golf,” McIlroy continued. “Only four of us are still alive. Gary Player is 90 years old, Jack (Nicklaus) is 85-86, and then there’s Tiger and me. It’s truly incredible to be part of that.”
Another cool thing? McIlroy heard from a legend… but not from the sport.
“I felt a bit overwhelmed by the number of people who contacted me from all walks of life: culture, entertainment…,” McIlroy said.
“But the one that impacted me the most was Sir Elton John. It was incredible. I haven’t been able to speak with him directly yet… His assistant left me a voicemail and said: ‘Sir Elton would love to congratulate you in person. The only problem is he doesn’t have a mobile phone, so you might receive a call from a Windsor, England number, from a landline,’ and I thought: ‘Of course!’ But we haven’t managed to connect yet, so I’d love to get in touch with him. It’s Elton John, it’s so cool. I didn’t even know Elton John knew what golf was!”
