GA Tour star would vote Rory McIlroy for President if he was from USA

Rory McIlroy won the Masters to complete a career Grand Slam and Will Zalatoris has heaped praise on the Northern Irishman – even suggesting he could become a politician

Rory McIlroy poses with the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket ceremony
Rory McIlroy poses with the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket ceremony

PGA Tour star Will Zalatoris has heaped praise on Rory McIlroy, the Masters champion, even joking that he’d vote for the golfer to be U.S. President if he could.

McIlroy etched his name into the annals of sporting greatness by becoming just the sixth golfer to achieve a career Grand Slam with his dramatic victory at Augusta National. His win in Georgia, which saw him don the coveted Green Jacket after edging out Justin Rose in a nail-biting playoff, ended a decade-long major drought and was a moment of pure emotion as he celebrated with wife Erica and daughter Poppy.

Current U.S. President Donald Trump praised McIlroy for his “tremendous courage” following his victory at Augusta National. Trump didn’t attend the Masters, despite being a keen golfer, and instead decided to watch UFC 314 in Florida on Saturday.

Zalatoris, who didn’t make the cut at this year’s Masters, expressed deep respect for McIlroy following his landmark Masters success. Speaking to Golfweek, the American golfer highlighted McIlroy’s down-to-earth nature and widespread appeal, sharing a poignant quote from McIlroy: “One of my favorite things that Rory McIlroy said is ‘The game doesn’t belong to anyone.’

“It doesn’t belong to our era, it doesn’t belong to the future era, it doesn’t belong to the guys before us. It’s our job to make sure that we make it the best thing we can possible.

“If Rory was born in the United States, I’d vote him for president… He’s one of the most intelligent, well-spoken, introspective people I’ve ever met. I loved him growing up, watching him play, but now that I’ve gotten to know him and see how he’s been such a good custodian of the game, it’s so cool. We’re lucky to have a guy like that around.”
Will Zalatoris lavished McIlroy with high praise following his Masters success
Will Zalatoris lavished McIlroy with high praise following his Masters success (

McIlroy, fresh from his victory at Augusta, was all about looking forward to future victories when he stated at a press conference: “You have to be the eternal optimist in this game. I have been saying it until I am blue in the face but I truly believe I am a better player now than 10 year ago.

“It is so hard to stay patient, keep coming back and not being able to get it done. There were points on the back nine where I thought, ‘have I let this slip again?’ but I responded and am really proud of myself. It has been an emotional week so I am thrilled to be last man standing.”

McIlroy added: “It’s my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time. I’m just absolutely honoured and thrilled and just so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion.”
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