‘I was feeling that bad’ – Rory McIlroy reveals grizzly details of Masters aftermath
Rory McIlroy’s Masters triumph came at a cost after he was struck down by illness following his heroics at Augusta. The Northern Irishman finally landed the elusive major earlier this month after edging out Justin Rose in a tense play-off. Rory McIlroy reigned supreme at Augusta but was struck down with illness shortly afterwardsGetty Nevertheless, he has still shown up for the Zurich Classic on the PGA Tour this weekGetty The victory saw McIlroy become just the sixth golfer in history to land a historic career Grand Slam after a long 11-year wait for a major. But the 35-year-old quickly came crashing back down to earth after being hit by illness in the aftermath of the event. “I’ve picked up a bit of a cold on the way, so I’m feeling a little bit under the weather,” he said ahead of Thursday’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans. “Once I got back from Ireland on Sunday, then when I woke up Monday morning, I could barely get out of bed; I was feeling that bad.” Speaking about his exploits since receiving the honourable green jacket, McIlroy revealed that he had been enjoying a period of down time with his family in London before visiting his parents in Northern Ireland. “We first went to London with Erica (wife) and Poppy (daughter) to see our new home that we’re building there last week,” McIlroy told reporters. “And then we made the trip over to Belfast to see my mom and dad and a few other people that are important to me over there. “Just to be with Erica and Poppy and my mom and dad and to see Michael Bannon, my lifelong coach, and spend a bit more time with Harry [Diamond, his caddie] and his wife and just celebrate with the people that have been a part of this whole thing for my entire career, my entire life, was absolutely amazing.” Next up for the newly-crowned Masters champions is New Orleans alongside partner Shane Lowry. McIlroy and Lowry were victorious in last year’s event and are favourites to land the title again this time round. McIlroy could not hold in his emotion after sealing victory at AugustaGetty McIlroy has spent some well deserved down time with wife Erica Stroll and their daughter PoppyGetty The pair are close friends away from the green and despite the mayhem that has surrounded him since the Masters, McIlroy is keen to get back into the thick of the action. “I need to put a little bit of practice and a bit of work in today to make sure that I don’t let him down this week, “he said ahead of his pairing with Lowry. “I’m eager to get back out there. I think this is the perfect atmosphere to do it in. “That’s a part of the reason that I wanted to honour the commitment to be here – it’s a fun event to be out there with Shane. “I don’t know if it [winning the Masters] gives me more confidence. I’ve always been very confident in my abilities as a golfer. “I do think that the whole day on Sunday at Augusta, I don’t think I’ll ever have to play a harder round of golf in my life. McIlroy and Lowry are back in action on Thursday in New OrleansGetty “I certainly don’t want to be placed back on that 15th tee box on that Sunday afternoon. “So I think to be able to get through that and produce the shots when I needed to, that obviously gives me confidence, and I can always draw back on that experience.”
Rory McIlroy’s Masters triumph came at a cost after he was struck down by illness following his heroics at Augusta.
The Northern Irishman finally landed the elusive major earlier this month after edging out Justin Rose in a tense play-off.
The victory saw McIlroy become just the sixth golfer in history to land a historic career Grand Slam after a long 11-year wait for a major.
But the 35-year-old quickly came crashing back down to earth after being hit by illness in the aftermath of the event.
“I’ve picked up a bit of a cold on the way, so I’m feeling a little bit under the weather,” he said ahead of Thursday’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
“Once I got back from Ireland on Sunday, then when I woke up Monday morning, I could barely get out of bed; I was feeling that bad.”
Speaking about his exploits since receiving the honourable green jacket, McIlroy revealed that he had been enjoying a period of down time with his family in London before visiting his parents in Northern Ireland.
“We first went to London with Erica (wife) and Poppy (daughter) to see our new home that we’re building there last week,” McIlroy told reporters.
“And then we made the trip over to Belfast to see my mom and dad and a few other people that are important to me over there.
“Just to be with Erica and Poppy and my mom and dad and to see Michael Bannon, my lifelong coach, and spend a bit more time with Harry [Diamond, his caddie] and his wife and just celebrate with the people that have been a part of this whole thing for my entire career, my entire life, was absolutely amazing.”
Next up for the newly-crowned Masters champions is New Orleans alongside partner Shane Lowry.
McIlroy and Lowry were victorious in last year’s event and are favourites to land the title again this time round.
The pair are close friends away from the green and despite the mayhem that has surrounded him since the Masters, McIlroy is keen to get back into the thick of the action.
“I need to put a little bit of practice and a bit of work in today to make sure that I don’t let him down this week, “he said ahead of his pairing with Lowry.
“I’m eager to get back out there. I think this is the perfect atmosphere to do it in.
“That’s a part of the reason that I wanted to honour the commitment to be here – it’s a fun event to be out there with Shane.
“I don’t know if it [winning the Masters] gives me more confidence. I’ve always been very confident in my abilities as a golfer.
“I do think that the whole day on Sunday at Augusta, I don’t think I’ll ever have to play a harder round of golf in my life.
“I certainly don’t want to be placed back on that 15th tee box on that Sunday afternoon.
“So I think to be able to get through that and produce the shots when I needed to, that obviously gives me confidence, and I can always draw back on that experience.”
