Rory McIlroy said he accomplished a lifelong goal when he completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters on Sunday, and there is actual video proof that he was not exaggerating.
McIlroy gained some attention for his uncanny golf ability when he was growing up in the late-1990s. When he was around 8 or 9, he appeared on a segment with BBC Sport. During that interview, a young McIlroy spoke about how his dream was “to turn a pro and to win all the majors.”
The surreal clip resurfaced after McIlroy beat Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday to win his first Masters.
"I want to win all the majors" – @McIlroyRory
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) April 14, 2025
Young Rory McIlroy speaking to BBC Sport NI in 1998
🎥 @BBCArchive #BBCGolf ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/u6Dq044Kyu
At around the same time as the BBC interview, McIlroy appeared on an Irish Talk show called “Kelly.” He spoke about how much time he spent practicing at home and showed off some of his chipping skills.
9-year-old Rory McIlroy chipping into a washing machine on Northern Irish talk show “Kelly” (1999) pic.twitter.com/8iYAK0qli2
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) April 13, 2025
McIlroy has spoken at length about the sacrifices his parents, Gerry and Rosie, made for Rory to pursue a career in golf. Gerry regularly worked 100-hour weeks, while Rosie worked overnights in a factory. McIlroy bought his parents a house in 2009 after he started to become successful as a professional golfer.
“I’ll never be able to repay Mum and Dad for what they did, but at least they know they’ll never have to work another day. I’ll do whatever it takes to look after them,” McIlroy said at the time.
McIlroy’s powerful four-word social media post after he won the Masters was another reminder of just how much the Green Jacket means to him.
