Grand Slam champ flies home… and Holywood is ready to party
Before the Grand Slam winner’s private jet had even touched down at Belfast City Airport yesterday morning, speculation was rife about his possible itinerary.
Such was the buzz of excitement swirling around the club yesterday as McIlroy flew in, there was a false alarm after whispers began circulating about the imminent arrival of a high-profile visitor.
In the end it turned out to be the Japanese Ambassador to Ireland, who stopped by to congratulate the members on the golfer’s success.
And curious visitors from abroad continued arriving in busloads throughout the day, hoping to catch a glimpse of McIlroy should he turn up.
Kallam Craigs (33) was confident the superstar, who learnt his trade on the local fairways and greens, will stop by.
He said: “I’m sure he’s delighted to get back and I’m sure the main thing he’s probably looking to do is to see the family and relax — no surprises he’s taking a week off.
“I would say he’s just really looking forward to putting the feet up, seeing the family, seeing a couple of his friends.
“I’m sure he will probably be up here at some point with the green jacket on.
“I’m sure there’ll be a few drinks taken when he gets up here.
“And I’d like to think he’ll have a couple of pints himself — because he has certainly earned it.”
Club president Tony Denver said there were incredible scenes on Sunday night when McIlroy became only the sixth player to win the Grand Slam — all four Major competitions — and the first from Europe.
Stuart Thompson
Member Stuart Thompson (41) added: “It’s normal him coming round here. I suppose it’s been a long time waiting for this, so it’s a massive weight off his shoulders.
“We haven’t heard anything. I’m sure the club will probably do something.”
McIlroy was accompanied by daughter Poppy as he disembarked from his jet.
He had shared an emotional message with her just after fulfilling his own dreams on Sunday night when he told the media: “One thing I’d say to my daughter Poppy is never give up on your dreams. Never, ever give up on your dreams.”
He and Poppy are expected to chill out with family before he returns to the US for next week’s Zurich Classic in New Orleans.
Ricardo Neufuss
“Whatever happens, happens,” Ricardo Neufuss said.
“He’s done it as an individual and made the club proud. I’m sure it’ll be a big crowd to welcome him back. You couldn’t have scripted it better.
“It’s so nice for such a big achievement in such a small area.”
Holywood Golf Club PGA Pro Ciaran Lavery
Club PGA professional Ciaran Lavery said: “We’d love to see him, but it’s not something that we’ve been told, or sort of let know anyway.
“But it’ll be nice — we only need one word.
“We’ve nothing planned, but if he was to arrive we would just go with it and embrace it more than anything,”
Daire McGarvey added: “There’s talk of it, there’s maybe going to be something… we’ll see.”