RORY McIlroy was congratulated by a wide array of celebs after his Masters triumph – but one stunned him more than any other.
While appearing on Jimmy Fallon’s mega US talk show, he revealed that Elton John reaching out really stopped him in his tracks.
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He recalled their interaction, or at least, as close as they’ve had to one so far.
The Down native laughed: “I was sort of overwhelmed with the people that reached out from all different walks of life.
“But 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.”
Another light-hearted moment from the interview came when they discussed Rory’s daughter stealing the show at Augusta’s curtain raiser par three tournament with a stunning 35-foot putt.
The proud dad informed Fallon and viewers that Poppy had been “a little surprised” by how loud the cheer she received was and ended up crying a little.
But when they retreated back to their accommodation and watched her incredibly light touch back on the TV, she was simply relieved that no one had seemed to notice her tears.
The Northern Irish megastar added: “She got super overwhelmed. I don’t think she anticipated the loud cheer (from the galleries).
“So she started to cry a little so I picker her up and we left. But when we got back to the clubhouse, she wanted to see the video.
“She then was looking over it, studying it…
“And then she went ‘It’s okay dad, I don’t think anyone caught me crying’. That was all she was worried about.”
The 35-year-old also shared that pal Shane Lowry was acting as babysitter in order to allow him to appear on Fallon’s programme.
The now five-time major champion will next be back on our screens in his usual guise when the Truist Championship – previously known as the Wells Fargo Championship – tees off on May 8.
SCOTTISH SELECTION
Earlier this week he added July’s Scottish Open to his schedule as a warm-up for The Open which will this year be held in Portrush, County Antrim.
The 2025 season still has three majors to play with the USPGA and US Open coming ahead of the R&A’s return to Royal Portrush.
Lowry sealed his only career major to date at the venue in 2019.
Local hero Rory will be aiming to bag his second Claret jug, which would surely have extra significance coming on home soil compared to his 2014 win at Royal Liverpool.
Speaking on the announcement of his participation at the Scottish Open, which falls a week before the Open, McIlroy said: “Winning a national open is always special.
“And I’m pleased to have the chance to compete for another Genesis Scottish Open title.
“It has certainly been a memorable year so far, and I’m looking forward to carrying on the momentum to the home of golf this summer.”
He bagged the PGA Tour and DP World Tour co-event in 2023 at the Renaissance Club – host venue of this year’s edition.