Rory McIlroy has revealed that he took home over one thousand Masters flags after his victory at Augusta.
McIlroy finally completed the career Grand Slam earlier this year in April as he claimed his first-ever Green Jacket.
It was a monumental moment for the Northern Irishman, winning the major that had always managed to evade him.
After his dramatic play-off success over Justin Rose, McIlroy fell to his knees in celebration and burst into tears.
The emotions and relief poured out, creating one of his and many golf fans’ greatest sporting memories.
He will never forget that moment, and it’s one that he certainly made the most of after putting on his Green Jacket.
A tradition for Masters winners is to sign their name on the flag, just inside the outline of the USA on the iconic Augusta National logo.
McIlroy finally got to do that and ever since, he’s had fans requesting for him to sign their replica flags too.
Speaking before the final round of the FedEx Cup at the Tour Championship, he was asked just how many he’d had to sign.
And he simply replied, laughing: “A lot.”
McIlroy then revealed an amusing story about how he left Augusta with a massive amount of them after winning.
“It’s been a lot, he said. “But I do know that they had 1,100 extra, they had 1,100 left in the merchandise facility at the end of the week.”
“And we took all 1,100,” he admitted with a smile.
“So, it’s been a lot [of flags], but I’ll never get sick of signing them.
“I’ve waited 17 years to sign that flag in the middle and I will never complain about doing that.”
Fashion statement
The most important piece of merchandise that McIlroy claimed at the Masters was, of course, his Green Jacket.
But he has admitted that he hasn’t worn it much since and that’s something that has surprised him.
“I’m reluctant to wear it,” he said. “It’s not as if I wear it a lot.
“I have it hanging in my wardrobe in a place where I can see it every day. I always thought if I had one – if I did win the Masters one day – I’d never have the thing off, and it hasn’t been that way.
“I haven’t worn it as much as I thought I would.”
McIlroy is set to compete for the FedEx Cup this week as he headlines the field at the Tour Championship.
The five-time major winner and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler are the top two in the FedEx Cup standings heading into the final event.
But it’s all to play for between the remaining 30 players at East Lake, with the action available to follow live on talkSPORT 2.
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