McIlroy’s immediate thought after emotional | Sports News

Rory McIlroy spoke candidly in regards to the large aid he felt after clinching his first Masters title, an achievement that has eluded him for 17 years. It was a sight crammed with emotion as McIlroy admitted, during his look on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, that he was “so emotional” following his career-defining win.

For McIlroy, this victory marked a long-awaited fifth main championship triumph, his earlier 4 coming by the time he was solely 25. Despite constant success, the elusive Grand Slam had slipped from his grasp for a irritating decade.

Then got here 2025, the place McIlroy donned the celebrated Green Jacket after a breathtaking playoff in opposition to Justin Rose at Augusta National, igniting heartfelt celebrations on the storied Georgia course.

With tears and pleasure, the County Down native held his daughter Poppy and spouse Erica in what turned an unforgettable scene. Now age 35, McIlroy joins the legendary ranks of Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods—golfers who’ve claimed all 4 main titles within the fashionable period.

Reflecting on the rollercoaster experience of feelings and the reactions of followers and family members, McIlroy shared with Fallon, “Everyone came up to me and they were like, ‘Oh, you don’t know what you put us through on that Sunday’. I was like, ‘How do you think I was feeling?'”

In recounting his emotional victory after a number of makes an attempt, the athlete shared, “Seriously, it was so emotional. I was just thinking, ‘Thank goodness that is over’. It was the 17th time playing the tournament, on my third time playing way back in 2011 I had a four-shot lead going into the final round, wasn’t able to win.”

Speaking on the mental fortitude required to clinch the win, he added: “So, it had been 14 years since that, 11 years trying to achieve the career Grand Slam. I go back every year, put my positive hat on, go with a good attitude and every time I leave on that Sunday night and it wouldn’t happen.”

Diving deep into his doubts, he revealed: “You start to think is it ever going to be your time. Did I miss it, have I lost my opportunity? I think there’s a good message in there about never giving up, keep coming back, be strong, be resilient. That patience paid off.”

Reflecting on the wave of congratulations that adopted his feat, he acknowledged messages from celebrities, together with Tiger Woods and Sir Elton John: “I was sort of overwhelmed with the people that reached out from all different walks of life,” he mentioned.

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Highlighting a notably memorable congratulatory second, McIlroy recounted: “The one that got me was Sir Elton John. That was incredible. I actually haven’t been able to connect with him though. So 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 cellphone!”.

‘”So you might get a call from a number in Windsor, England off a landline.’ But I was like ‘Sure! That’s absolutely fine!’ We haven’t been able to connect yet but I’d love to get to chat to him. I just think that’s so cool. Like, it’s Elton John! I didn’t even know that Elton John cared about golf.”

Regarding Woods’ response, he added: “(Tiger) said welcome to the club, kid. There’s six people ever who have achieved the career Grand Slam and only four of us are living – Gary Player’s 90-years-old; Jack (Nicklaus) is 85, 86; and then Tiger and myself. Really cool to be a part of.”