How Rory McIlroy felt when he met Tiger Woods for the first time – all golf fans can resonate

Despite having five majors to his name, Rory McIlroy still pales in comparison to the GOAT that is Tiger Woods.

When it comes to sporting icons, not many are more iconic than the 15-time major champion.

First shooting to prominence in the 1990s, Woods went on to single-handedly transform the game of golf into the worldwide phenomenon it is today.

Given what he has done for the sport, the five-time Augusta winner is held as almost a god-like figure amongst fellow players and fans – a sentiment that was felt by McIlroy during the pair’s first-ever meeting.

Rory McIlroy on meeting Tiger Woods for first time

McIlroy’s worldwide fame has meant he has had the chance to meet countless celebrities, politicians and fellow sports stars over the years.

There seems to be only one person, however, who gets McIlroy nervous – that being golfing icon Woods.

When speaking on his first interaction with Woods, the Northern Irishman revealed he was starstruck when meeting him for the first time at 15 years old (via CBS Sports).

“I think the first time I met Tiger, I was a little star-struck,” McIlroy said in 2012.

“I watched him on TV winning majors by 15 and 12 and doing things that no one else could.”

“It’s funny, I was talking about this last night,” he said. “I was more nervous meeting Tiger than I was meeting Barack Obama.”

McIlroy and Woods have become good friends

21 years on from that iconic meeting, McIlroy and Woods have been able to strike a close bond on and off the golf course.

Whether it be practising their 9 irons or even launching a business together, it seems like Woods has gone from idol to friend in the eyes of the Northern Irishman.

When speaking on his relationship with the golfing GOAT, McIlroy told Sportsnet in 2025:

“The way I always describe my relationship with Tiger is that people would say, ‘never meet your heroes’ and I met my hero and he exceeded my expectations. So he has been nothing but wonderful to me, my family, the whole way through my career.”

McIlroy then added: “And it’s really cool to not just call him a competitor but also a business partner, a colleague, a friend. It’s really cool. I am super fortunate that I have the relationship with him that I do.”