After Missing an Iconic Moment With Arnold Palmer, Rory McIlroy Unbothered by $3.6 Million at Stake in Favor of Fulfilling Dream Gesture With Jack Nickalus

One great thing about golf is that the sport is filled with tradition. Whether it be the iconic Champions Dinner at Augusta or taking a dunk in Poppy Pond following the women’s first major championship, the sport’s events are filled with customs. And the Memorial Tournament is no exception. And it seems like more than the win, Rory McIlroy is excited for this tradition.

With $3.6 million at stake, many golf pros are undoubtedly looking for a win this week. But McIlroy seems to care for it only for one reason: a tradition that follows the win! After all, it involves something far more prestigious than a check: a moment with the golf legend, Jack Nicklaus.

Rory McIlroy expresses his wish to fulfill his dream with the Golden Bear

At the Memorial The golfer’s first round was not as remarkable as one would expect, but his second round was better. McIlroy was four shots off the leaderboard topper, Justin Suh. During the third round, however, the Irish golfer’s game turned around. He ended his round on Saturday at 2-under par, tied for the lead at the top of the leaderboard!

With a possible win in his immediate future, McIlroy cannot help but think about the perks of winning. During his press conference on Saturday, the former world number one expressed a wish that he wants to fulfill with Jack Nicklaus. The Irishman exclaimed that he wanted nothing more than a handshake with the Golden Bear, a perk the winner receives.

The four-time major winner said that it would mean a lot to him if he won the tournament. The world no. 3 explained that he had played at Muirfield Village quite often in the past with a clear chance to win, and this would change that. “So to be able to walk up that hill from 18 and get that handshake from Jack would be pretty nice,” he said.

Getting a handshake from the 18-time major winner has become a coveted tradition for the winner at the Memorial Tournament. This year, along with the iconic handshake, the winner will also take home $3.6 million in prize money. The video of McIlroy expressing his feelings was shared by the PGA Tour on their official Twitter handle. 

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The golfer also expressed his regret about not getting to shake the legendary Arnold Palmer‘s hand back in the day. McIlroy said that he won the tournament in 2016, the same year the legend had passed; hence, he did not want to miss out in the same way as Nicklaus. “So it would be nice to be able to do it and have Jack be there and stuff. It would be really cool,” he added.

How did the coveted tradition first begin?

A winner at the Memorial Tournament does not get a green jacket or claret jug, but a handshake from Nicklaus is no less prestigious; after all, he’s one of the greatest legends of the sport. As per USA Today’s 2019 report, for years, when the tournament started, the legend Nicklaus would stay in the TV Tower and do colorful commentary for the fans to hear. But one day, that suddenly changed!

One Sunday, Nicklaus suddenly decided to wait for the winner on the 18th and shake their hand as they hit their winning shot. Since then, the winner getting a handshake from the Golden Bear has become a coveted tradition and has been followed at the tournament every year.

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Do you think Rory McIlroy will receive the handshake he is longing for on Sunday? Tune in to find out!