Rory McIlroy took time out of his busy schedule to help out a 7-year-old with a brain tumour during the pro-am for the Horizon Irish Open at the K Club this week.
The Horizon Irish Open has already started, but before McIlroy teed off in Kildare on Thursday, McIlroy honoured a request from the event's official partner, Make-A-Wish Ireland.
Tournament sponsor Horizon donates €150 per birdie and €300 per eagle scored to the Birdies for Wishes campaign. Last year's edition raised almost €121,000 for the Foundation.
The charity asked if McIlroy would meet Michael Horgan (7). The world number two duly obliged and granted the request.
According to The Belfast Telegraph, 'McIlroy collected Michael on the ninth tee and drove him in a buggy to his ball, then allowed the youngster to use his range-finder to tell him the yardage to the pin.
The four-time Major winner missed his birdie putt – but he was determined to make it a special occasion and handed Michael his own bespoke putter so he could hit a few putts himself.'
"It puts a lot of things in perspective, and just makes you very grateful for what you have."
Rory McIlroy made the day of a young golf fan during his #IrishOpen practice yesterday ❤️ https://t.co/9e64nOMuT1— Belfast Telegraph (@BelTel) September 7, 2023
Speaking about the request, the Holywood native said that it was always worthwhile helping out the less fortunate in times like this.
“I’ve done a few different things over the years with Make-A-Wish and with different children’s charities, and it’s always been very fulfilling to be able to do it,”
“But I think when you’ve got a child yourself… I feel very fortunate that we have a healthy little girl who’s very happy.
“There’s a lot of people in the world who would give up everything to have what we have in terms of a healthy child.
“It puts a lot of things in perspective and just makes you very grateful for what you have.”
McIlroy also signed the head cover of Michael’s new club.
The Belfast Telegraph also reported that when the pair departed, Michael also gave McIlroy words of encouragement for this month's Ryder Cup.
“Europe for the Ryder Cup, Ireland for the World Cup!" said Michael before departing.
