Tiger Woods' 5-Word Perfect Message to Rory McIlroy Revealed on Tonight Show
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Rory McIlroy has finally returned to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon after more than a decade. The Northern Irishman's last visit to the show was in 2014, when he promised he would only return if he won the Masters Tournament. And he did.
Fallon, a hardcore golf fan, had the honor of hosting McIlroy's first public appearance donning his brand-new green jacket. No small feat, considering the overwhelming number of celebrities who contacted the newest member of the Grand Slam club after his victory at Augusta National.
It is almost a truism to say that among the first to congratulate McIlroy was one of his professed idols, the legendary Tiger Woods. As the Northern Irishman recounted during the show, Woods sent him a message that was as brief as it was eloquent:
"He said, 'Welcome to the club, kid,'" McIlroy recalled.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia.
Getty Images/Richard Heathcote
The club Woods is referring to is, of course, players to have won all four major championship. He joined Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen as the only players to complete the feat.
The 35-year-old also recounted the phone call that he said impressed him the most:
"I was sort of overwhelmed with the people that reached out from all different walks of life, you know, culture, entertainment," he said. "But the one that got me was Sir Elton John. That was, like, incredible."
As is usually the case with the best stories, this one was not lacking in humor:
"I actually haven't been able to connect with him," McIlroy said. "His assistant left me a voicemail and said, 'Sir Elton would love to congratulate you in person. The only problem is, he doesn't have a cellphone [laughs]. So you might get a call from a number in Windsor, England, from a landline.'"
"I'm like, 'Sure'. But we haven't been able to connect. So I'd love to reach out. And I just think it's...You know, it's Elton John. That's so cool of him to do that. I didn't even know Elton John knew what golf was."
From millions of ordinary citizens to two presidents, the 5-time major winner received congratulations from virtually the entire world. A few days ago, McIlroy pointed precisely that as the biggest takeaway from his victory:
"I think the big thing for me is just how the whole journey sort of resonated with people and the people that have reached out to me," he said from the TPC Louisiana ahead of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. "That's been absolutely amazing."
"I spoke to two presidents the day after, which was pretty cool," he added. "Just people reaching out from all walks of life, whether it be sports, entertainment, culture. Just all of it. People you would never even think would watch golf or would know what's going on; that was very, very humbling."
Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters Tournament in his 17th appearance at Augusta National Golf Club. It was also his 11th attempt to win golf's Grand Slam, a career achievement reserved for players who win each of the major championships at least once.
After winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players Championship earlier this season, the 29-time PGA Tour winner was the odds-on favorite to win the Masters Tournament.
He justified those predictions, but not without a fight, as he had to go all the way to the playoff, where he defeated Justin Rose to finally claim the green jacket.
More Golf: Michael Block Party Clinches PGA Championship Return with Epic Performance
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Black America Web
6 minutes ago
- Black America Web
50 Cent Claims He Will Talk To Donald Trump About Potentially Pardoning Diddy, X Applauds His Commitment To Being A Hater
Source: Getty Images / Bernard Smalls / 50 Cent / Diddy Allegedly, Diddy is out here trying to get a pardon from Donald Trump while he continues to them hand out like Halloween candy, but 50 Cent wants to make sure that his long-time rival rots in a prison cell. Using his favorite soapbox, Instagram, in a series of now-deleted posts, 50 Cent is letting his followers know that he's not playing regarding his hate for Diddy and that he will do whatever it takes to keep Diddy from securing a pardon from Felon 47. 'He said some really bad things about Trump, it's not ok. Im gonna reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy,' the G-Unit general said in one Instagram post. In another, he added, 'Donald doesn't take well to disrespect, and doesn't forget who chooses to go against him. while working tirelessly to make America great again there is no room for distraction. He would consider pardoning anyone who was being mistreated not Puffy Daddy.' Is Trump Seriously Considering Pardoning Diddy? Now, it's unlikely that Trump will grant the disgraced rapper/mogul a pardon, but he was asked about it during a Friday press conference, telling reporters, 'People have been very close to asking' regarding a pardon for Diddy. However, he claims that no one has reached out to him yet. 'I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody is mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me.' 🔥🚨BREAKING: Trump just floated the idea of pardoning Diddy. Not because of the evidence. Not because of the facts. But because, and I quote, 'He used to really like me a lot.' — Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) May 30, 2025 50 Cent Claims He Wants To Make Trump 'Aware' of Diddy In a hilarious twist, 50 Cent tried to clarify his comments after The Daily Beast reported on him trying to 'nuke' Diddy's chances for a pardon. In another IG post, sharing a screenshot of the article, 50 Cent wrote, 'I didn't say I would Nuke anything, I simply said I will make sure Trump is aware.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent) Welp. Users on X, formerly Twitter, have been reacting to this latest development in the ongoing saga between 50 Cent and Puff with many applauding his commitment to making Diddy's life a living hell. You can see those reactions in the gallery below. 50 Cent Claims He Will Talk To Donald Trump About Potentially Pardoning Diddy, X Applauds His Commitment To Being A Hater was originally published on He's truly a generational this man's enemy means u have to keep winning ur whole life bcoz his dedication to hating is truly something the world has never seen — 🥷🏾King Asura🥷🏾 (@BreezyMeister14) June 2, 2025 This is the level of petty I aspire to be. When you hate, hate with your full chest and let the whole world know that you hate this person. — Kos Trobu (@Aunty_Kike) June 2, 2025 Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jimmy Fallon Gives Dakota Johnson a Tissue to Cover Her Cleavage, Jokes He'll Sell It on eBay
Dakota Johnson had some last-minute regrets about her outfit choice on 'The Tonight Show' on Monday night, so Jimmy Fallon provided a quick fix in the form of a tissue. The NBC host then joked that he'd sell it online afterward. The moment came right at the start of Johnson's appearance in support of her new film 'Materialists,' which hits theaters on June 13. As she sat down, she looked downward and uttered 'Oh god' as she seemed to realize her skirt rode up a bit high and the neckline of her top showed a lot, given the angle of the camera. 'This is the wrong outfit,' Johnson said with a chuckle. 'I think it's perfect, just don't move' Fallon replied, prompting Johnson to joke that 'my eyes are up here.' The duo then recalled their experiences with the 'SNL50' celebration, with the actress noting that she wasn't actually in the crowd but got to watch from under the bleachers, where 'SNL' boss Lorne Michaels watches. But, as the conversation progressed, Johnson was once again distracted by how exposed she felt. 'Tell me if there's a problem,' she requested. Fallon swore there wasn't a problem — just 'almost' a problem — but Johnson then jokingly asked for a blanket from anyone in the room to help cover up. So, the comedian offered her the next best thing he had: a tissue. Johnson proceeded to tuck it in and indeed, the tissue covered everything. But, when Fallon lamented ruining her outfit, the actress opted to take the tissue out and handed it back to him. 'Do you want to keep this?' Johnson asked, to which Fallon joked: 'I'm putting this on eBay this evening.' Johnson managed to navigate the rest of the interview without triggering NBC's standards department too much, save for the stray f-bomb. That wasn't the only funny moment between these two stars, though. While talking about the 50th anniversary special, Johnson said she saw her 'Materialists' co-star Pedro Pascal behind the scenes as he was preparing for the 'Domingo: Vow Renewal' sketch. Meryl Streep was also backstage for another sketch, and though Johnson had never met the iconic actress, she said hi. 'She reached for me and kissed my hand,' Johnson shared, earning a theatrical gasp from the studio audience. Watch the full NBC interview above. The post Jimmy Fallon Gives Dakota Johnson a Tissue to Cover Her Cleavage, Jokes He'll Sell It on eBay | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
San Francisco Chronicle
16 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Justin Rose is 15 years removed from his first PGA Tour win and still going strong
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — Justin Rose has reason to feel his age at the Memorial when he sees his framed photo on the wall of his first PGA Tour victory. That was 15 years ago. 'It's quite amazing when I think about it like that,' he said. 'Fifteen years. The image I have is my little son Leo was kind of messing around in a bunker behind 18.' Rose turns 45 next month, and the number that should impress him is being No. 19 in the world ranking. He has had a few wobbles over the years but is fully entrenched in the top 50, eligible for all the majors for the 15th consecutive year. 'I think I'm getting to a stage in my career where that is the goal now, sort of having pride of performance and trying to buck the trend of what is a natural aging process,' he said. 'There are things that get more difficult, but yeah, you don't want to kind of believe it. I still think my good (golf) is good, which is what I've seen this year. 'It's been inconsistent this year, but my good is good, and that's the most important thing to see.' There are examples of players still going strong in their 40s, even as the PGA Tour trends younger. One would be longtime friend Adam Scott, who also turns 45 next month and is approaching 100 straight majors. Another longtime friend born in 1980 was Sergio Garcia. 'I think we're the three players that have kind of kept the form, in terms of just being out on tour and competing and popping our names up on the leaderboard once in a while,' Rose said. Rose also said he was inspired by Steve Stricker, who rediscovered his game after a deep slump and reached No. 2 in the world in his 40s. 'I think he won nine times in his 40s,' Rose said. 'I think he did it living in the Midwest, locking things up for winter, having a great family, didn't sacrifice the world in order to do it. He's a really good role model from that point of view.' Rose has the week off before going to the U.S. Open. He hasn't missed this major since 2010, right after he won the Memorial. It was his victory that led the USGA to create another exemption category to use the world ranking the week before the U.S. Open. The road to the Masters began Sunday for those wanting a ticket, and it will cost a little more. But not much, and it's still by far the best bargain for major sporting events. The Masters opened its lottery to apply for tickets, and Sports Business Journal reports a slight increase for practice-round tickets. It cost $100 in 2025. Next year the price is $125 for Monday and Tuesday, and $150 for Wednesday (which includes the Par 3 Contest). Tickets for tournament days (a maximum of two per day) are now $160, compared with $140 in 2025. Of course, the hard part is being able to purchase them. The lottery application ends on June 20, and winners are notified in July. The Nicklaus filter Jack Nicklaus has reached the age (85) and time around the PGA Tour (65 years) to speak freely. Very freely. He made that much clear during the broadcast Friday when television did a walk-and-talk with Ben Griffin as he played the 17th hole. 'I can't stand that, the interview on the golf course,' Nicklaus said when it was over. And he was just getting warmed up. 'Let me tell you how I think, how I feel,' he said. 'I mean, seriously, here's a guy who's leading the golf tournament, he's just hit the edge of the rough, he's got a very difficult shot on a very difficult hole, and you're talking to him about stuff that totally takes his mind off of what he was doing. 'How would you think (Ben) Hogan would respond to that question?' Nicklaus said. 'You would not have any teeth left if you did.' Nicklaus generally likes the advancements in the PGA Tour, understanding that times change. But he cares deeply about the integrity of competition. By the end of the week, he also said only what most people think. Scottie Scheffler was leading and eventually pulled away by playing the last eight holes with two birdies and six pars. Nicklaus said Scheffler did what he had to do with the competition chasing him. 'Ben Griffin's a nice player, Sepp Straka is a nice player, Nick Taylor is a nice player. Those were all the guys that were there basically coming down the stretch,' Nicklaus said. 'But he knows that those guys are not in his league. Now, if he would have had ... Xander (Schauffele) or somebody like that would have been there, he might have said: 'Well, that might be a little tougher. I might have to do something different.' He didn't have to.' Shades with a purpose The shades for which Ben Griffin is becoming known is not about style. Griffin, who won the Colonial and was runner-up to Scottie Scheffler at the Memorial, said he began seeing floaters a year ago and was told by his eye doctor that his retina was trying to detach itself. 'I had retinal holes, so I had to go get basically laser surgery to fill in those holes,' he said. 'I had eight retinal holes in both eyes, so I was at risk of losing vision maybe within five or six months had I not gotten the treatment.' He still sees floaters. The surgery was to maintain his level. The sunglasses help. 'When I wear sunglasses it's a little bit darker out, so I don't necessarily see the floaters as well,' Griffin said. 'So if it's really bright out and I'm not wearing the sunglasses, I look into the clouds or whatever and I see black stuff everywhere.' There's one other advantage. He says the glasses help reading greens. 'I love the ability to see the contrast a little bit better, then when it's really bright, it's kind of hard to see grain changes from time to time,' he said. 'So seeing contours is definitely a little bit easier I think with the sunglasses.' Divots The PGA Tour picked up another extension when Deere & Company agreed to a new deal that keeps title sponsorship of the John Deere Classic through 2030. ... Muirfield, which hasn't hosted the British Open since 2013, will hold the Women's British Amateur for the first time next year. The R&A also announced the British Amateur would be at Royal Liverpool. ... David Graham, the Australian great who won the 1979 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills and the 1981 U.S. Open at Merion, was selected as the Memorial honoree for 2026. ... Mexican brothers Carlos and Alvaro Ortiz both qualified and will play in the same U.S. Open for the second time. They also were at Torrey Pines in 2021. 'This old man, as long as he's around, is always here as a sounding board if you need it.' — Jack Nicklaus to the five Nicklaus Award winners from each level of college golf. ___
