The very first time McIlroy ever met the golfing legend Tiger Woods was back in 2002. The now Hall of Famer was playing the World Golf Championship-American Express Championship at Mount Juliet Hotel & Golf Course in County Kilkenny, Ireland while the 13-year-old snuck around the green to look at his idol. It was not until 2008 that Woods invited the amateur golfer to the now Hero World Challenge where he realized the talents of the young Northern Irishman. Through their careers and Nike collaborations, Rory has seen Woods as an idol, a peer, and a friend all the while carrying Woods’ 1997 win at Augusta as his guiding compass as he completes his career Grand Slam that has eluded him for years.

With the Masters win at Augusta this Sunday, Rory McIlroy has proven what is delayed is never denied. Because it has been a game of catch for the Northern Irishman since his try at the 2011 event. Back then, the then 21-year-old flabbergasted everyone with his skills. Bill Plaschke of the LA Times even noted, “The roar engulfed Tiger Woods as he walked up the final fairway, but he never smiled… the cheers were not for him. They were for the next him” as Rory holed a birdie on the 17th right behind Woods. And while he was always touted to be the next Tiger Woods, now he has finally proven it correct. Meanwhile, he also did not forget to tip his hat to the golfer who made it all possible.

Rory’s journey featured heartbreaking collapses and near-misses that tested his resolve. Yet in 2025, destiny finally smiled upon the Northern Irishman, and his first words honored the champion who inspired him. “This is by far the greatest golf tournament in the world. Watching Tiger Woods do this when I was a kid was my inspiration… My dreams have been made today,” said emotional Rory McIlroy per NUCLR Golf’s tweet.

With this historic win, he joined an elite group including Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as one of only six golfers to complete the career Grand Slam — the first European to achieve this feat. Yet amid this personal milestone, his first thought was to honor Woods: “I didn’t do this alone. There’s a reason I mentioned Tiger first. Without seeing what he did here, I wouldn’t have had the mental framework to believe this was possible.”

He also added, “It’s a dream come true. I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember. Watching Tiger Woods in 1997, and then winning his first Green Jacket, I think that inspired so many of my generation to want to emulate what he did.”

McIlroy’s reference to Woods wasn’t just a passing mention. It represented the culmination of a lifelong journey inspired by golf’s most transcendent figure. In a tournament where Tiger Woods was notably absent due to a recent surgery, 5x major winner made sure his idol’s presence was still deeply felt through his heartfelt words. What made this tribute particularly meaningful was how it contrasted with Augusta National’s apparent snubbing of Woods’ legacy during the tournament.

Just days before, the course had controversially moved the traditional Sunday pin placement on the 16th hole — the spot where Woods made his iconic chip-in in 2005. McIlroy himself acknowledged this unusual choice in his press conference, noting it was “probably for the 50th anniversary of Jack holing that in ’75” rather than honoring Tiger’s iconic moment. This change had drawn considerable backlash from fans.

The newly crowned Masters champion had just experienced the most dramatic finish imaginable. After shooting rounds of 66, 66, and 73, McIlroy entered Sunday at -11 but struggled with a final-round 72. He found himself tied with Justin Rose after 72 holes, both finishing at -11 overall. In the playoff’s sudden death on the 18th hole, McIlroy delivered a clutch birdie 3 to Rose’s par 4, sealing the victory that had eluded him for 11 years.

Tiger too did not waste any time to congratulate the 35-year-old. After Rory’s clutch win, he tweeted, “Welcome to the club [Rory McIlroy]. Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special. Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you’re a part of history. Proud of you!”

Of course, Woods is no stranger to what the feeling is like to complete a career Grand Slam. He was just 24 years old when he won the 2000 Open Championship at The Old Course at St. Andrews to bag his fourth and final major for the achievement. However, he is a legend of the sport for a reason, so he went ahead and won all four majors at least thrice, bringing his total major wins to a 15, second all-time. And now, despite Augusta choosing to snub Woods, Rory brought his name back to life like he has time and again.

At the pre-event presser at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club, Rory mentioned, “I always say this and it sounds a cliche but I don’t take it for granted, that I can wake up every day and try to live out my childhood dream. One of my childhood dreams was to meet Tiger Woods, but not only that, but to compete against him and to, you know, befriend him and become close to him.” 

His heartfelt acknowledgment speaks volumes about the unique relationship that has developed between these two champions over the years.

The Tiger-Rory relationship: From idol to ally

McIlroy’s relationship with Woods traces back to their first encounter in 2002. As a 13-year-old, Rory witnessed Tiger’s dominance at the WGC-American Express Championship in Ireland, where Woods carded an impressive 25-under-par victory. The young McIlroy boldly proclaimed to everyone that he would become the best golfer in the world. That teenage fan who once snuck onto the back of the green during Tiger’s trophy ceremony eventually evolved into a friend and peer.

Their bond has transcended conventional rivalries. Following McIlroy’s devastating 2011 Masters collapse, Woods privately offered encouragement and advice about resilience that guided Rory’s comeback mentality throughout his career. This support proved crucial as McIlroy rebounded to win the U.S. Open just months later.

The two champions have grown closer over the years, moving from idol-admirer to business partners. Together, they co-founded TMRW Sports and launched the tech-driven TGL league in 2025, reshaping golf’s cultural landscape. McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf even faced Woods’ Jupiter Links in their inaugural match, symbolizing their shared commitment to expanding the sport’s reach.

Despite occasional professional friction, including recent disagreements over PGA Tour governance, their mutual respect has remained unwavering. This Masters victory adds another chapter to their intertwined legacies — now with a combined 20 major championships between them.

From Jack Nicklaus’s miraculous charge in 1986 to Tiger Woods’s historic victory in 1997, champions create memories that last generations on these hallowed grounds, echoing through the towering pines for eternity. The pristine fairways have witnessed countless iconic moments throughout golf history as legends were born on these grounds. And now, Rory McIlroy has also joined the prestigious list with his own Masterpiece.

As McIlroy slipped on the Green Jacket that had eluded him for so long, his tribute to Woods proved that even at the pinnacle of individual achievement, acknowledging your inspiration creates an even more powerful legacy. What do you think about Rory’s tribute to Tiger after finally capturing his Masters dream?