Rory McIlroy wanted wife Erica Stoll to punch | Golf News

Masters champion Rory McIlroy humorously told his wife, Erica Stoll, to “punch” him if he ever grumbled about donning his first-ever inexperienced jacket. In April, McIlroy narrowly beat Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff at the 18th gap of Augusta National, securing victory in his eleventh attempt at finishing the profession grand slam — an achievement only Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have managed in the Masters period.

Since this important profession milestone, golf lovers worldwide have understandably wanted to see McIlroy‘s inexperienced jacket, although the Northern Irishman is not always eager to put on the distinguished award.

“I was in India a few weeks ago and I was in the Middle East the last two weeks and most places you go, if you’re doing events, the people want to see the green jacket,” he shared on CNBC’s CEO Council Forum. During the discuss, McIlroy also delivered a “fractured” LIV Golf verdict in a NASCAR comparability.

“So you bring the green jacket with you,” the PGA Tour star continued. “And sometimes, you don’t want to wear it, you know. You don’t want to.” 

However, upon realizing he was complaining about the coveted souvenir he had spent a lot of his profession chasing, McIlroy made a peculiar request to Erica. “I sort of complained about wearing it in Abu Dhabi,” he added. “And I said to my wife, ‘Erica, if you ever hear me complain about wearing this thing again, like punch me or do something.’

“Because I’ve waited my complete life to put on this, and I’m complaining about sporting it.” 

McIlroy battled through numerous challenges on his path to securing the green jacket, enduring what he called an “inexcusable” collapse late in Day 1 and a crucial missed putt on the 18th hole during the final round that sent the tournament into a playoff.

After draining the championship-winning putt in sudden death, McIlroy finally let loose the emotions that had accumulated throughout the tumultuous weekend. The 36-year-old immediately fell to his knees and let out a triumphant roar toward the sky, visibly relieved to have finally conquered his Masters demons.

Reflecting on that unforgettable moment, McIlroy acknowledged that he still finds it difficult to hold back the tears. “If I watch that ultimate scene on the 18th inexperienced and I drop to my knees, it is still onerous for me not to cry,” he confessed.

“Whatever it’s, eight or 9 months on, it is just so onerous for me not to really feel those feelings again.

“But if you want something for so long and so badly, and you end up doing it, you dream about doing it, but you don’t dream about what comes next.

“Honestly, like I’ve dreamt about that second for so long, and it lived up to every part I believed it could be, and more.”