The recent Masters golf tournament was a true test of will and determination by Rory McIlroy. The entire tournament was a roller coaster ride of emotions, highs and lows, and wasted opportunities. Rory, who came into the event as one of the favorites to win, had a history of not fulfilling his dream of becoming a Masters Champion.
But after 17 failed opportunities to win the Masters, he finally reached his goal of putting on the green jacket which is given to everyone that wins the Masters.
Rory, as a kid, did not come from a privileged family with country club money. His family was lower middle class, but his dad recognized at a very early age that Rory had a God given talent on how to hit a golf ball.
One day, a young Rory asks his dad if they could go hit some range balls. His dad, who lived paycheck to paycheck, knew he only had one token for the range which was good for 30 balls. So, he told Rory to pretend he was at the Masters and to make every ball count since he could not afford anymore tokens until the following week when he got paid.
Rory has never forgotten all the sacrifices his family made in order for him to have a chance to become one of the world’s greatest golfers. But on this year’s final round of the Masters and a one-hole playoff with fellow European friend Justin Rose, Rory’s emotions came to the surface as he made a 4 foot birdie putt to win the most prestigious tournament in the world….The Masters!
After making the most important putt of his life, Rory dropped to his knees and sobbed as all the stress and pain of 17 failed opportunities to win this event came rushing to the surface. Finally, he proved all the nay sayers wrong and would no longer have to answer media questions on why he hasn’t won this event.
All of us at some point in our daily lives have had things hanging over our heads or that we have carried around for years and never seem to overcome. It could be something as simple as finding the perfect job or losing weight. Maybe it’s a bad habit that we’ve carried for years like smoking.
No matter what our issue might be, there’s pretty much nothing each of us can’t overcome with a little encouragement from family and friends, or in some cases, professional help. But when that day finally arrives where we have conquered our demons, the pressure lifted off of us can be absolutely incredible!
Like Rory McIlroy winning the Masters after 17 tries, it’s important that we never quit. Just keep fighting those demons each of us carry deep inside, and through perseverance and determination, hopefully the day will come when we get to celebrate our own personal victory and put on our own green jacket just like Rory McIlroy.
