Golf champion Rory McIlroy almost missed out on a heartfelt message from golf legend Tiger Woods after his U.S. Open setback, all due to a recent change in his phone number.
McIlroy disclosed on July 16 that he had changed his phone number just days after the U.S. Open, causing him to miss Woods’ comforting text. “Full disclosure, I changed my number two days after the U.S. Open, so I didn’t get it until he told me about it today,” McIlroy revealed, according to ESPN.
It wasn’t until McIlroy saw Woods at The Open at Royal Troon Golf Club that he could thank him personally. “I was like, ‘Oh, thanks very much.’ So, I blanked Tiger Woods, which is probably not a good thing,” McIlroy recounted with a chuckle.
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Despite the missed message, the bond between McIlroy and Woods remains strong, a friendship that has flourished since McIlroy was just 15 years old. McIlroy has often spoken of Woods as his “hero” and has appreciated the unwavering support Woods has offered throughout his career.
“Tiger has been nothing but incredible to me over the course of my career in the good moments and the bad,” McIlroy said. “It’s always nice when your hero and the guy that you had on your bedroom wall is reaching out and offering words of encouragement.”
Reflecting on McIlroy’s challenging second-place finish at the U.S. Open, Woods offered insight on Tuesday, saying, “We all lose… The faster he’s able to get back on a horse and get back into contention, like he did last week, the better it is for him.”
Both Woods and McIlroy are set to compete in the Open Championship in Scotland, which begins today. Fans eagerly await to see how these two golf giants will perform, with McIlroy no doubt buoyed by the continued support and friendship of his idol, Tiger Woods.
