Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon overnight, McIlroy revealed he missed the phone call from the music icon and could not return it as Sir Elton John doesn’t own a mobile phone and left no callback number
Sir Elton John called Rory McIlroy to congratulate on his historic Masters win(Image: Getty Images)
Sir Elton John called Rory McIlroy to congratulate him on his historic Masters victory and career Grand Slam achievement, leaving the golf star stunned that the legendary musician even follows the sport.
But the congratulatory call didn’t go quite as planned. Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon overnight, McIlroy, 35, revealed he missed the phone call from the music icon and was unable to return it as Sir Elton John doesn’t own a mobile phone and left no callback number.
“I was sort of overwhelmed with the people that reached out from all different walks of life – culture and entertainment,” McIlroy said, wearing his green jacket from Augusta. “But the one that got me was Sir Elton John. That was incredible.”
McIlroy explained that the Rocketman singer’s assistant left a voicemail saying the singer wished to congratulate him personally, and might try calling from a landline in Windsor, England. “And I’m like, ‘Sure.’ But we haven’t been able to connect,” McIlroy said. “It’s Elton John, so cool. I didn’t even know he knew what golf was. I’m super humbled.”
The Northern Irishman clinched the Masters title in a dramatic playoff win over fellow golfer Justin Rose last month, completing the elusive career Grand Slam and ending an 11-year drought since his last major victory. He became just the sixth player in history to win all four major championships in his career—a feat only four living golfers have achieved.
Among those who reached out was golf legend Tiger Woods. “He just said: ‘Welcome to the club, kid,’” McIlroy shared. “That was so cool. Six people ever have done it – Gary Player is 90, Jack Nicklaus is 86, then Tiger and myself. It’s really cool to be part of that.”
Hollywood also came calling. Actor Adam Sandler, a longtime fan of the sport and creator of the cult golf comedy Happy Gilmore , congratulated McIlroy and offered him a cameo in the upcoming sequel.
Sir Elton John called Rory McIlroy to congratulate but did not leave his number(Image: Leon Neal/Getty Images)
“I’ll say I’m a much better golfer than actor,” McIlroy laughed. “But Happy Gilmore was the golf movie for me growing up. I can recite every line. The fact I got to do that was awesome and Sandler is the best.” As for Sir Elton, McIlroy still hopes they’ll eventually connect. “I’d love to reach out to him,” he said. “It was amazing.”
The 35-year-old Northern Irishman became just the sixth player in the sport’s history to win all four major championships, joining an elite group that includes Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen.
The Masters had long eluded McIlroy, who had previously won the PGA Championship (2012, 2014), The Open Championship (2014), and the US Open (2011). His triumph at Augusta, following an 11-year wait for a fifth major title, not only completed the set but also ended years of pressure and speculation over whether he could ever capture golf’s most iconic green jacket.
McIlroy’s road to Grand Slam glory was far from smooth. He famously blew a four-shot lead during the final round of the 2011 Masters, collapsing with a score of 80 after leading for three rounds. That moment became a defining scar early in his career, but also a source of long-term motivation that helped forge his resilience and competitive spirit.
Rory McIlroy told how Tiger Woods welcomed him to the Grand Slam club(Image: Brennan Asplen/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images)
Since turning professional in 2007 at the age of 18, he has been seen as one of golf’s brightest stars. His first major victory came at the U.S. Open in 2011, where he set a tournament record score of 268, finishing eight shots ahead of the field.
In 2012, he won the PGA Championship by a record margin of eight strokes. Two years later, he added both The Open Championship and a second PGA title to his growing legacy. Yet after 2014, a combination of injuries, swing changes, and inconsistent form left McIlroy chasing the next big breakthrough, particularly at Augusta, where the spotlight remained unforgiving.
Despite the mounting pressure, McIlroy continued to be one of the most consistent players on the US PGA Tour, frequently finishing in the top ten and winning numerous other tournaments. However, the majors proved elusive, leading many to wonder whether he would ever regain the form needed to complete the Grand Slam.
That question was emphatically answered at this year’s Masters. McIlroy displayed control throughout the tournament and held his nerve in a tense playoff against Rose. The win was not only a personal triumph, but also a moment of vindication after years of near-misses and heartbreak on Augusta’s hallowed grounds.