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Rory McIlroy completed the career grand slam at Augusta earlier this month - Getty Images/Michael Reaves
Rory McIlroy has revealed that he spoke to two United States presidents in the 24 hours following his historic victory in the Masters earlier this month – Barack Obama and current White House incumbent Donald Trump.
Telegraph Sport has also learnt that former President Bill Clinton sent a heartfelt letter.
It remains unclear if the Northern Irishman was called by either the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, or his Dublin counterpart, Taoiseach Michael D Higgins, although both quickly released public statements hailing the 35-year-old’s green jacket. Evidently, the world and its leaders want to be connected to McIlroy’s emotional triumph.
On Thursday, McIlroy makes his first competitive appearance since his Augusta glory two weeks ago, when he became the the sixth male player in history to complete the career grand slam, as he tees it up in the first round of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans.
It is the PGA Tour’s only pairs event and despite the organisers telling McIlroy they would understand if he skipped the week, he felt duty bound to play because he and Shane Lowry are defending the title. .
"I said to my caddy, no matter what happens, we're going to do well to get him to New Orleans"
Shane Lowry says he had doubts Rory McIlroy would play this week after the drama in the final round at The Masterspic.twitter.com/XSLebiZqPI
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 23, 2025
McIlroy has played socially with both Trump and Obama and in his pre-tournament press conference at TPC Louisiana, revealed that they had personally extended their congratulations in the hours following his dramatic success.
“Yeah, very much beyond golf,” McIlroy said after being asked about the reaction to his play-off victory over Justin Rose. “I spoke to two Presidents the day after, which was pretty cool. Just people reaching out from all walks of life, whether it be sports, entertainment, culture… just all of it. People that you would never even think that would watch golf or would know what’s going on, that was very, very humbling, I guess.”
McIlroy’s fifth major title, after an 11-year wait, clearly transcended the sport and he believes that was because of the torment he endured to end the drought. “I think people can see themselves in the struggle at times, and everything that you sort of try to put into getting the best out of yourself in that journey,” he said. “I think people watching someone finally get it done, something they’ve been trying to do for a decade plus, I think it resonated with a lot of people.
“It’s been an amazing few days, reflecting on everything that happened and the magnitude of it. The big thing for me is just how the whole journey resonated with people and the people that have reached out to me. That’s been absolutely amazing.”
McIlroy flew back to Belfast last week to be with his parents – who had been moving house and who were this not at Augusta – in his home town of Holywood last week and the celebrations have understandably taken their toll.
“As you can hear, I’ve picked up a bit of a cold on the way, so feeling a little bit under the weather,” he said. “When I woke up Monday morning, I could barely get out of bed – I was feeling that bad. So just to be here and feeling better is an achievement.
“I need to start hitting some balls again and getting back into it. But I’m excited and I’m happy to be here with my man, and we’re looking forward to a great week and trying to defend.”
With respect to the Zurich Classic, normally a low-key Tour stop, the world No 2’s first big test will come when he defends the Truist Championship in a fortnight’s time. He will then move on from Philadelphia to the season’s second major, the USPGA Championship, which is being held in Charlotte.
Quail Hollow happens to be McIlroy’s most fruitful stamping ground, having won four Tour titles on the George Cobb layout, and for that reason alone is an enticing venue for the golfer who will be trying to draw alongside Sir Nick Faldo on six in the all-time major charts. But Xander Schauffele, the American who won last year’s USPGA crown, thinks McIlroy will be a more formidable foe in North Carolina for obvious factors other than his course suitability.
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McIlroy has a remarkable record at Quail Hollow – the host venue of next month’s US PGA - Getty Images/Jared C. Tilton
“Rory is a generational talent and to do what he did is incredible golf,” Schauffele, who also won The Open in 2024, said . “If that was something that was holding him back and now he feels free, that could be a pretty scary thing.
“He has all the tools. I’ve played against him when he’s firing on all cylinders and it’s not fun. Yeah, iIt’s fun for everyone to watch but he’s hard to beat. Would I be surprised if he started rattling off more majors? No. Absolutely not.”
For now, the test in New Orleans awaits and the organisers cannot believe their luck. “Obviously we are beyond thrilled Rory and Shane are returning. I think they truly enjoyed their experience in New Orleans last year, and they did announce on the 18th green they would be back, Steve Worthy, the tournament promoter told Telegraph Sport.
“While we’d have been disappointed, we would have complete understood if he needed to take time off following Augusta - we couldn’t be happier. While sales were already going very well, there has certainly been a huge boost. Rory moves the needle like no other golfer since Tiger Woods.”
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