Rory McIlroy has recently been having a difficult time with his health. During the Tour Championship, he had muscle spasms and struggled to maintain his position in the top five of the table. His next immediate outing is the Horizon Irish Open that started today. 

Ahead of the tournament, Rory McIlroy discussed an emotional topic in the press conference. One question involved his recent fan interaction, and it got him opening up about a very personal aspect for him. He ended up expressing how much he cares for children and their health. Let’s find out more about the question and his response.

A spin around the course instead of a video

In the press conference, McIlroy answered a question about his recent interaction with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. McIlroy explained he has worked in the past with the foundation and some other children’s charities. He claimed that the experiences and his ability to engage with the kids are very fulfilling for him.

McIlroy explained the depth of his motivation for involving himself in these activities. He said, “I feel very fortunate that we have a healthy little girl that’s very happy.” He drew a comparison with all the people who have challenges in raising their kids that most others do not face. 

“There’s a lot of people in the world that would give up everything to obviously have what we have in terms of a healthy child.” McIlroy exclaimed how this comparison shaped his mindset. “Yeah, it puts a lot of things in perspective and just makes you very grateful for what you have.”

Michael Horgan, from Dublin, is a seven-year-old boy who recently got to spend a day with Rory McIlroy, his golfing idol. This became possible through the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which approached McIlroy for a personalized video for the boy.

McIlroy stepped it up a little. He met the boy in person and spent the day with him. The two shared a buggy together and had a spin, of the course. The conversation revolved around their common passions and shared interest in golf. Despite living with a tumor in his brain, the boy appears to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm about his interests.

Read more: ‘Didn’t Allow Them’: Amid Breaking Four Patriotic Dreams, Rory McIlroy Takes a Vicious Jibe at Heartbroken LIV Golfers

As McIlroy mentioned in the conference, he has interacted with fans before in similar circumstances. The instances include a fan interaction in 2022, and another in 2012, among other interactions.

Rory McIlroy is truly an inspiration 

Rory McIlroy hung out with his fan, Killian O’ Reilly, in 2022, during the BMW Championship. O’Reilly, who had a moderate case of Cystic Fibrosis, played the 15th hole in the course, with McIlroy. O’Reilly even played a shot in front of McIlroy and claimed that it was the scariest shot of his life. McIlroy described the shot and appreciated him for pulling it off. 

Prior to this, in 2012, McIlroy had spent time with a thirteen-year-old boy named Tucker Dupont, during the Memorial Tournament. Dupont had a heart valve problem and could not play contact sports anymore. 

Being a basketball player, he had to quit that sport and switch to a non-contact sport, such as golf. Dupont developed a strong liking for McIlroy and eventually got to hang out with his idol.

Speaking of the Horizon Irish Open, Rory McIlroy won the tournament in 2016. He donated the entire money he won to charity. His initiative, the Rory Foundation, had hosted the tournament as well.

Do you think Rory McIlroy will repeat his historic win at the Horizon Irish Open 2016? Would he have recovered properly by now? Tell us in the comments!

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