Augusta National, GA …

Twenty-years ago, a freckle faced, young boy and dressed in his bed clothes was given permission by his parents to sit up later in the lounge room of their suburban Belfast home inspired by the sight of his hero winning the 1997 Masters.

Rory McIlroy was just seven years of age when watching TV coverage in his of one of the most remarkable achievements ever in the modern history of the ancient club and ball game.

Rory McIlroy aged just six years and already swinging like a pro.

But the events particularly of that day final day, Sunday 13th April, would prove to be the inspiration for all that McIlroy has and continues to achieve in golf.

“I remember the week vividly as I was only seven years old and I was sitting up till late with my dad in our lounge room watching TV coverage of the Masters,” said McIlroy.

“So, I can remember that week very clearly and I remember everything about Tiger’s last round.

“Tiger’s dominance that Sunday was something that sort of left everyone memorised as no-one that Century had ever won a Major by 12 strokes.”

Most weekend golf fans had heard the name Tiger Woods ahead of the 1997 Masters but then it was really only those who had followed his amateur career closely who were aware of the enormous scope of Woods remarkable amateur achievements in his 21 years.

And McIlroy was one right up to speed with Woods’ career.

“I had also watched on TV Tiger winning three U.S. Amateurs before what he did at Augusta in ’97, so I was already a big Tiger Woods fan,” he said.

“I even think I had a Tiger head cover on my driver because back then Tiger was already my idol.

“And after watching him win the Masters I know I just wanted to get down to Holywood Golf Club and hit more practice balls.”

In fact, McIlroy still was not a member of Holywood and located some 2oo yards from the family home, and where his father toiled to save the funds that would help find the path to eventual golfing stardom for their only child.

Indeed, it was not to later in 1998 when McIlroy was aged nine that took the first small steps in what would lead to his own glittering amateur career. And those steps were at then now Trump Doral club in suburban Miami.

“It was a year later, and around Christmas time, that I won my first amateur event of note and that was the Doral Junior Under 1o,” recalls McIroy.

“I remember walking down the 18th of the Blue Monster for a first time thinking Tiger has been here, and that really was the first time really where I was competing and that Tiger had also competed.

“So that junior event was I guess the first of many special Tiger Woods moments for me, as was sitting up with my dad watching Tiger win the ’97 Masters”.

Of course, no one, no matter what age or guise, had any inkling that second Sunday in April 1997 how Woods would then proceed to single-handedly change of the face of golf and sport.

Rory McIlroy beats Tiger Woods by 6 shots in 2012 Turkish Airlines World Golf Final.

Woods and McIlroy have since become close friends and as McIlroy strives again this year in looking to join Woods and four other greats in golfing immortality, he’s singled Woods out for very special praise.

“When you look back on his career it’s just unbelievable what he’s done and what Tiger has achieved,” said McIlroy.

“The legacy Tiger leaves is going to be so different to that of some of the other greats of the game.  I know back when I was starting to get seriously into golf everyone
wanted to be Tiger Woods, and I was no different.

“That’s why you see the fields in tournaments so dee as they are today because of Tiger as he just inspired so many kids, and myself very much included, to go out and play the game.

“It’s also why I feel there is so much parity in professional golf right now because of Tiger and that’s the legacy I believe he’s left, and you see it everywhere in the game as everyone is just so much more professional.

“And even though it was 2o years ago he won his fist Major, it’s something I don’t think I will ever forget even when it’s the 30th, 40th  or 50th year anniversary of that Masters win.

“For me, it will always be one of those ‘where were you when such and such happened’ moments.”