Everyone was willing Rory McIlroy to finally do it and secure that famous green jacket at The Augusta National on Sunday evening – less than two years on after rejecting Leeds United.
A nervous final round saw Northern Irish icon McIlroy produce some spell-binding shots, but also some signs that a 14-year wait to don the green jacket was weighing heavy. Finally, McIlroy got the job done.
He becomes only the sixth golfer to win the Grand Slam after going into a play-off with Englishman Justin Rose, both on -11. The Masters has always eluded McIlroy but only until now, an incredible achievement.
A man that could have been involved at Elland Road. The 49ers Enterprises have conjured up investment in Leeds by including several celebrity names in the project, including Will Ferrell, Paris Hilton and more.
Why Rory McIlroy chose to turn down Leeds United opportunity
Like many others, McIlroy was handed the opportunity to invest in The 49ers and Leeds United. Indeed, many other famous sports people have done so including NBA icon Larry Nance Jr, an avid Leeds fan.
Ferrell was even spotted wearing the well-liked Leeds away kit at Coachella over the weekend. But in 2023, McIlroy explained why he had turned Leeds down and it is because of his Man United allegiance.
Speaking to Sky Sports while at a Texas F1 event two years ago having invested in Alpine, he said: “They asked me if I wanted to come on board, and I said as a Man United fan I cannot go anywhere near that.”
Which other golf stars have invested in Leeds United?
The obvious two are Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, both of whom have been spotted doing the Leeds salute over the years. Rickie Fowler was also interested in Leeds, but eventually turned down the chance.
Both Spieth and Thomas were in action at Augusta over the weekend. Spieth finished the weekend with a score of -3, finishing in tied 14th place along with the likes of Tyrell Hatton, Bubba Watson and Jon Rahm.
For Thomas, it was not such a good tournament as he ended with +2 along with 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzl. Indeed, only 11 golfers finished on five under or better, with McIlroy taking the jacket.
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