Rory McIlroy shaken by scale of ‘absolutely amazing’ reaction to Masters triumph

Rory McIlroy, pictured receiving the Green Jacket from Scottie Scheffler, said: ‘I spoke to two presidents the day after, which was pretty cool.’ Photograph: John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock

Rory McIlroy has admitted to being taken aback by the scale of reaction to his Masters triumph. Two US presidents – Donald Trump and Barack Obama – plus huge names from worlds outside sport have contacted the Northern Irishman since he completed the career grand slam at Augusta National. Amid moving scenes at Augusta, McIlroy’s outpouring of emotion reverberated way beyond golf. The achievement meant “everything and more” to McIlroy. It struck chords elsewhere.

McIlroy, who beat Justin Rose in a playoff to win the Green Jacket, returns to action at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which starts on Thursday. The Northern Irishman was in bed with a fever on Monday, and was still slightly jaded when he addressed the media at TPC Louisiana on Wednesday.