Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy at the Open Championship in St Andrews, Scotland in July 2022. Photo:
Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy is now the sixth Grand Slam champion in golf history — and Tiger Woods is cheering him on.
“Welcome to the club @rorymcilroy,” wrote Woods, 49, in his Instagram Stories the evening after McIlroy, 35, won the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 13. “Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special.”
By cinching his fourth major championship title, McIlroy joined other golfing legends and became the newest Grand Slam winner since Woods achieved the title in 2000.
The match in Augusta, Ga. was a close one, with the Northern Irish golfer battling it out with Englishman Justin Rose throughout the day. They both finished tied at 11-under par, and went to a playoff hole for the win, according to USA Today. McIlroy then finally beat Rose with a winning birdie.
Tiger Woods congratulated McIlroy on Instagram Stories. Tiger Woods/Instagram
Woods, who has 82 all-time PGA Tour victories, quickly recognized his fellow competitor’s talent.
“Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you’re part of history,” Woods continued. “Proud of you!”
The victory is a long time coming for McIlroy, who was overcome with emotion after the win. He was seen kissing his wife and hugging his 4-year-old daughter Poppy as he cried following the historic match.
“This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time,” said McIlroy, according to ESPN.
“I think the last 10 years coming here with the burden of the Grand Slam on my shoulders,” he continued, “and trying to achieve that, yeah, I’m sort of wondering what we’re all going to talk about going into next year’s Masters.”
The pro golfer celebrated his historic win with his family on Sunday, April 13 in Augusta, Ga. Richard Heathcote/Getty
The Masters Tournament also holds special weight for five-time winner Woods, who was said to be possibly competing at the championship until a ruptured Achilles tendon foiled his plans. That didn’t stop him from supporting his fellow golf pro.
Over the years, the two have maintained a strong friendship, despite some disagreements. In the Netflix documentary Full Swing, McIlroy called Woods his “hero,” according to The Independent. He said that he idolized Woods while he was growing up, admitting that “all I wanted to do was be like him.”
“I was a cocky and arrogant kid,” said McIlory, according to the outlet. “I told anybody who would listen I’d be the best golfer in the world.”
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Over the last decade, the pair has gotten to know each other, the Northern Irishman said, and now co-own their TGL golf league.
“He’s one of the legends of the game,” said McIlory, according to The Independent. “There’ll never be another Tiger for so many reasons. Not just his success on the golf course, but the barriers he was able to break down.”
He added that Woods has “set a great example for a lot of us moving forward.”
