EXCLUSIVE – Rory McIlroy will return to earthquake ravaged Haiti for two days in the week before next month’s Masters.
It will be McIlroy’s second humanitarian trip aa UNICEF Ireland Ambassador since visiting the Caribbean island in June 2011.
McIlroy travelled to Haiti witnessing first-hand the damage and misery caused by the earthquake. He inspected newly built schools, a maternal centre and camps for displaced people and just weeks after his infamous Masters meltdown.
However he then travelled back to the States and to the Congressional course in Maryland, McIlroy efied most sceptics to win a first Major, the 2011 US Open, by a remarkable eight shots and also become the youngest winner since 1923.
Fabulous photo of Rory McIlroy handing out gifts to Haitian children during his first visit to Haiti in 2011.
Now after a disappointing start to his season and the fact main rival, Tiger Woods heads to Augusta National as overwhelming red hot favourite to win a 15th Major, McIlroy will not doubt look to draw on sobering images of Haiti ahead of the April 11th starting Masters.
“I have experienced some success in recent years and this is an opportunity for me to use that success to support a great organisation,” said McIlroy.
“It has been nearly two years since my last visit to Haiti and I’m really excited to be going back. Haiti is an inspiring and humbling country where children face daily struggles and deprivation unnecessarily. If my presence there helps to create international awareness of the difficulties Haitian children face, then I am delighted to help.
“During my last visit, I witnessed daily life for some of the world’s most vulnerable children. UNICEF’s great work in Haiti is helping to combat disease and change lives. Their work is something I am extremely passionate about and admire.”
Rory McIlroy has been an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland since 2011 when he took part in his first field visit to Haiti. This visit will come a week before the 2013 Masters Tournament in Augusta.
Speaking of his visit in 2011 McIlroy said: “I thought I had perspective before going to Haiti,” he said prior to his first Haiti visit.
“But actually seeing the country, it just give you a completely different view of the world and that game that we play.
“Haiti was a great experience for me and it was great to go down with UNICEF and see all the work that they’re doing with funding and helping build schools and maternity clinics and providing food and water to people down there.”
