New Masters champion Rory McIlroy said he would be happy to wear his green jacket in the Manchester United game if he could “inspire better plays” from his boyhood club.
McIlroy made golf history on Sunday, becoming sixth player and completing a career grand slam (winning the PGA Championship, US Open Championship), and the Northern Irish handed over a green jacket at Augusta 11 years after winning his final major.
After a roller coaster day that included a nervous playoff with Justin Rose, McIlroy, a lifelong United fan, was asked if he would consider taking his new blazer to Old Trafford.
“I hope that can inspire some better plays absolutely,” McIlroy said.
McIlroy’s victory came hours after United fell into a 14th Premier League defeat of the season and a 4-1 defeat at Newcastle United.
Reuben Amorim’s side is 14th in the league and faces the second leg of the important Europa League quarterfinal against Lyon on Thursday.
Speaking about his potential investment in United in the future, McIlroy fell to his knees on the 18th green after welcoming his winning birdie putt.
“There was a point in my career that I didn’t know if I had this lovely outfit on my shoulder,” he said after claiming his fifth major title.
“I certainly didn’t make it easy today. I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on a golf course.”
He said the first double bogey actually helped calm his nerves down after a morning when he was difficult to eat.
“It was heavy weight to carry, and thankfully I didn’t have to carry it, it frees me,” he added.