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.
The Northern Irishman managed to overcome Justin Rose via a dramatic play-off clash to etch his name into the history books.
McIlroy has now joined five other men in achieving the career Grand Slam, while also becoming the first European to achieve the feat.
Lineker, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, said he first meet the golfer when he was just a teenager.
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.
“Many, many years ago, I used to play quite a lot with Darren Clarke, a great golfer himself,” he said.
“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!’
“I said, ‘Really?’ He went, ‘Yeah, a 14-year-old.’ So I get there, and it’s Rory. Rory McIlroy.
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“So I played with this kid. Oh, my god. This tiny little kid, 14, and he was just ripping it.
“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.
“I think the whole nation was desperate for him to do it [win the Masters].”
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’.
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A long time coming. Congratulations, Rory. #themasters pic.twitter.com/f72nOxQbfw
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
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.
McIlroy was, however, able to recover.
Lineker added: “Imagine the pressure on him because it’s the one that’s missing.
“And then you get people over the years saying, ‘Aw, he’s a choker.’ Absolutely [not], they have no idea.
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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.
“It was the most mesmerising, horrific, torturous watch that I’ve ever done. But in the end it was completely magnificently magical!”
McIlroy has kept a low profile since his win.
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.
“I think I would say it was 14 years in the making from going out with a four-shot lead in 2011,” he continued.
“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.
“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.”