World No. 2 Makes History With Unforgettable Performance on Sunday Night
Rory McIlroy has fired back at Tiger Woods and three other golf icons, claiming their predictions about his Masters victory “didn’t help” as he finally captured the Green Jacket at Augusta on Sunday.
Starting the final round two shots ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, McIlroy faced an unexpected challenge from Justin Rose, who emerged as his closest competitor.
After a nail-biting playoff, Rory McIlroy outlasted Justin Rose to finally secure the elusive career Grand Slam — 11 years after his last major victory.
Golf legends Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson had long predicted that Rory McIlroy would eventually capture a Masters title at Augusta.
The Northern Irishman has officially cemented his place among golf’s all-time greats. However, after his stunning Masters victory, McIlroy admitted that comments from legends like Tiger Woods “didn’t help” and that he would have preferred less pressure during his quest for the Green Jacket.
Rory McIlroy Opens Up on the Pressure from Golf Legends
“It’s not easy,” McIlroy admitted. “When you have legends like Jack, Gary, Tom, and Tiger all predicting you’ll win the Masters, it becomes a heavy burden to shoulder. Honestly, it’s really tough.”
“These are my idols,” McIlroy said. “Of course, it’s flattering when they come up and show belief in me — in my ability to win this tournament and complete the Grand Slam. But honestly, it doesn’t help. I wish they hadn’t said it.”
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McIlroy on Masters Win: ‘It Was Pure Relief, Not Joy at First’
“It was pure relief,” McIlroy admitted. “There wasn’t much joy in that first reaction — just relief. But the joy followed soon after. I’ve been coming to Augusta for 17 years, and that moment released more than a decade of emotion.”
After the win, Tiger Woods was one of the first to congratulate McIlroy on his historic achievement.