For sports fans, there’s nothing like watching legends rise above the grind, particularly after defeating adversities. On April 12, 2025, Rory McIlroy did just that, clinching the Masters at Augusta National. The Northern Irish golf sensation, with four majors already under his belt, finally nabbed the elusive green jacket, completing his career Grand Slam after 11 years of relentless efforts. “I think I’ve carried that burden since August 2014. It’s nearly 11 years.” After his win, across the sporting world, Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian with 28 medals—23 of them gold—watched, cheered, and had a beautiful message for Rory that stems from solidarity and camaraderie! What brings these maestros closer to each other?

Phelps, no stranger to pressure, fired off a three-word Instagram story to McIlroy: “L.F.G.” along with the greeting message, “Congrats, man.” The message, posted on April 12, 2025, was a nod to their shared battles—not just on the course or in the pool, but in their heads. Both have been vocal about mental health, a bond that’s made them more than just casual admirers. 

McIlroy’s Masters triumph wasn’t just about sinking putts; it was a mental marathon. The 35-year-old admitted to the mental toll of chasing Augusta’s crown: “It’s tough. You know, you’ve had Jack, Gary, Tom, Tiger, you name it, come through here, and all say that I’ll win the Masters one day. That’s a hard load to carry, especially – it is. It really is.” The endorsements from golf’s legends, his idols, feel like a heavy burden, suggesting a fear of failing their belief, a classic anxiety trigger.  Yet, he noted, “I’ve just become more accustomed to the noise… and I’ve become a little more comfortable with it,” showing a managed anxiety, not erased, as he navigates the mental strain of expectation.

His openness mirrors Michael Phelps, the decorated Olympian who has never shied away from talking about his mental health battles. On his appearance in a May 2024 NBC interview with Kristen Welker, Phelps opened up about struggling with anxiety and depression, especially following his second DUI arrest in 2014. Although the Baltimore native is in a much better frame of mind now, even after all these years, on some days, he finds himself struggling. “There are 10 days spells where every day is a struggle”. Phelps knows what it feels like to reach the very pinnacle of glory, yet be weighed down by your mind. His solidarity must go a mile for Rory McIlroy.

With Phelps reaching out to other athletes and speaking up on the topic, this candor has sparked a brotherhood of sorts. Well, to do away with the past scars, Phelps finds solace in some other sport.

Michael Phelps finds his mental edge on the golf course

Michael Phelps, the guy who turned pools into gold mines with 23 Olympic golds and 28 medals total, didn’t just hang up his goggles after retiring from swimming in 2016. The Baltimore Bullet found a new obsession: golf. As he told Golf.com in a March 2025 interview, golf became his outlet to channel that fierce competitive edge. “I’ve kind of corrected my spray off the tee and have been able to dial that in. So I’m giving myself a chance to actually play—teaching myself more,” Phelps said, admitting it’ll take a grind to hit his target. From swinging at pro-ams like the 2025 WM Phoenix Open to hitting the range with pros like Justin Thomas, Phelps has embraced golf’s technical grind, much like he once dissected butterfly strokes. How deep is he diving into this new game?

Now 39, Phelps sees golf as more than a hobby—it’s a mental lifeline. “It gives me that competitive focus and a way for me to channel that energy nowadays,” he shared. His passion’s no secret: he’s been spotted hyping buddies like Thomas, sharing Instagram stories of epic shots, like Thomas’ 102-yard eagle at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open. Phelps even teamed up with golf influencer Grant Horvat in February 2025, showing off a swing that’s got fans buzzing. With his Michael Phelps Foundation still pushing mental health and swimming safety, golf’s become his escape, a fresh way to chase excellence. What’s next for Phelps on the fairways?