{"id":32276,"date":"2025-04-19T06:46:10","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T06:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/32276\/"},"modified":"2025-04-19T06:46:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-19T06:46:10","slug":"gary-lineker-doesnt-hold-back-on-golf-critics-after-rory-mcilroy-wins-the-masters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/32276\/","title":{"rendered":"Gary Lineker doesn’t hold back on golf critics after Rory McIlroy wins the Masters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gary Lineker has opened up on meeting Rory McIlroy when the golf star was just 14 following his Masters triumph at Augusta on Sunday – and also blasted critics of the Briton.<\/p>\n

The Northern Irishman managed to overcome Justin Rose via a dramatic play-off clash to etch his name into the history books.<\/p>\n

McIlroy has now joined five other men in achieving the career Grand Slam, while also becoming the first European to achieve the feat.<\/p>\n

Lineker, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, said he first meet the golfer when he was just a teenager.<\/p>\n

\"Gary<\/p>\n

Gary Lineker has opened up on meeting Rory McIlroy when the golf star was just 14 following his Masters triumph at Augusta on Sunday – and also blasted critics of the Briton<\/p>\n

RESTISFOOTBALL\/REUTERS<\/p>\n

And the BBC presenter admitted he was blown away by what he saw from McIlroy that day, with the putter ‘ripping it’ as he was put through his paces.<\/p>\n

“Many, many years ago, I used to play quite a lot with Darren Clarke, a great golfer himself,” he said.<\/p>\n

“And he said, ‘Can you play tomorrow?’ I went, ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m around.’ And he said, ‘I’ve got this young boy coming who’s gonna be the next giant of golf!’<\/p>\n

“I said, ‘Really?’ He went, ‘Yeah, a 14-year-old.’ So I get there, and it’s Rory. Rory McIlroy.<\/p>\n

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“So I played with this kid. Oh, my god. This tiny little kid, 14, and he was just ripping it.<\/p>\n

“He shot like 69 or something, from the back tees! So I’ve always followed his career subsequently, and he’s had so many ups and downs.<\/p>\n

“I think the whole nation was desperate for him to do it [win the Masters].”<\/p>\n

Lineker also admitted that it was ‘torturous’ to watch McIlroy on Sunday – while taking aim at those who accused the golfer of being a ‘choker’.<\/p>\n

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A long time coming. Congratulations, Rory. #themasters<\/a>\u00a0pic.twitter.com\/f72nOxQbfw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He seemed to blow his chances of Masters glory when he missed a putt on the 18th hole, allowing Rose to book his place in a play-off.<\/p>\n

McIlroy was, however, able to recover.<\/p>\n

Lineker added: “Imagine the pressure on him because it’s the one that’s missing.<\/p>\n

“And then you get people over the years saying, ‘Aw, he’s a choker.’ Absolutely [not], they have no idea. <\/p>\n

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“No idea what it must be like to undergo that kind of pressure. And to come through all that, and with so many ups and downs on the final day.<\/p>\n

“It was the most mesmerising, horrific, torturous watch that I’ve ever done. But in the end it was completely magnificently magical!”<\/p>\n

McIlroy has kept a low profile since his win.<\/p>\n

He did, however, admit that he was eager to celebrate with his parents – who opted to stay in Northern Ireland, instead of jetting out to America.<\/p>\n

\"RoryRory McIlroy is a man on top of the world following his remarkable win at the MastersGETTY<\/p>\n

“I think I would say it was 14 years in the making from going out with a four-shot lead in 2011,” he continued.<\/p>\n

“Feel like I could’ve got it done there and, yeah, there was a lot of pent-up emotion that just came out on that 18th green.<\/p>\n

“But a moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it. I want to say hello to my mom and dad; they’re back home in Northern Ireland.”<\/p>\n