Rory McIlroy's Masters victory in April this year caused an avalanche of reaction from the golf public. Waiting for such a feat for 10 years, Rory finally put on the green jacket and at the same time completed the career Grand Slam.
The 35-year-old golfer delighted everyone with his victory in this tournament, and four months after his victory, various stories about his success are still circulating.
Ryan Fox, the well-known face of the golf course, believes there is another reason why McIlroy celebrated at Augusta National.
Namely, Fox reveals that the experienced golfer was wearing a pounamu, a precious stone, which was given to him by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, during a golf trip.
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When we played last year at Tara Iti, he was gifted a pounamu by John Key, -Fox said, as quoted by the Belfast Telegraph.
Rors kind of said to me the first time I saw him after Augusta, and I'd just won Myrtle Beach (Classic) as well, John had gifted me that and I felt like it was good luck. I wore it down Magnolia Lane every day."
What is Pounamu?
Pounamu is a precious stone from the southern part of New Zealand and represents a traditional symbol, based on the connection with nature, harmony and love. In New Zealand, athletes receive this stone before every performance at major competitions, mostly at the Olympics.
Fox thinks it's a great thing that Rory was wearing pounamu, and it's also a great way to promote New Zealand.
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"John actually texted me a photo of him in a golf cart with Rory wearing his pounamu, which was really cool.- he said.
Although Rory has yet to talk about the stone, it has clearly brought him good luck, as the veteran golfer finally lifted the curse and a huge weight off his back by winning the Masters this year.
Fox pointed out that McIlroy has a fondness for New Zealand, revealing that the Northern Irish golfer said he can't wait to return to this part of the world again.
