For the first time in Masters history, the iconic Green Jacket landed on Indian soil. The legendary blazer made its debut in a nation where cricket reigns supreme. But this wasn’t just about golf history being made.

Rory McIlroy became the first Masters champion to bring the Green Jacket to India during the DP World India Championship 2025. He shared the stage with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar at the Delhi Golf Club. The Northern Irishman posted the moment on Instagram, wearing his 2025 Masters Green Jacket while Tendulkar held his iconic No. 10 cricket jersey.

“It was an honour to be the first @themasters winner to bring the Green Jacket to India and a pleasure to share the stage with the legend @sachintendulkar,” McIlroy wrote. “Thank you to @dpworld for hosting a special tournament @dpwic.”

Tendulkar’s jersey carried a special message for the World No. 2. “Wishing you a memorable visit to India, Rory. May this be the first of many more to come…..” the message read. The cricket icon responded on Instagram hours later, congratulating McIlroy on the milestone and expressing hope that his presence would inspire young Indians to take up golf.

This wasn’t their first meeting. The two sporting giants previously connected at the 2023 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. Tendulkar gifted McIlroy a signed jersey during that encounter as well. However, their October 2025 meeting carried a different weight. It happened on Indian soil during the most lucrative golf tournament the country has ever hosted.

Similarly, Tiger Woods met Tendulkar in Delhi back in 2014 during an exhibition event. Woods tweeted his admiration, calling Tendulkar “so cool.” These cricket-golf crossovers demonstrate the power of sports legends bridging different disciplines. When the “God of Cricket” champions golf, millions pay attention.

The DP World India Championship features a $4 million purse. The inaugural event brought together 156 players, including Tommy Fleetwood (World No. 5), Viktor Hovland (World No. 13), Shane Lowry, and over 20 Indian professionals. McIlroy’s appearance marked his first-ever professional tournament in India. He arrived fresh from Ryder Cup success at Bethpage Black.

Interestingly, Tendulkar plays golf himself. He carries a handicap of 12 and plays left-handed despite batting right-handed in cricket. The legendary cricketer regularly hits the links with former teammates Yuvraj Singh and Ajit Agarkar. His genuine passion for golf makes his endorsement even more authentic.

Fans celebrate the historic crossover

The Instagram post ignited reactions from golf and cricket fans worldwide. One enthusiast captured the moment perfectly, writing “Wonderful Rory, two all-time greats right there 🙌.” Another fan emphasized golf’s global expansion, commenting, “Hope to see you more in those parts of the world. Great for the growth of this beautiful game.”

The celebration continued with simple but powerful messages. “Yay Rory! 👏👏👏👏👏” one supporter wrote. Another perfectly summarized the meeting’s significance with “Game recognize game 🔥🔥.”

Tendulkar himself responded with a heartfelt message that underscored the significance of the moment. “Congratulations on this special milestone, Rory! A pleasure sharing the stage with you,” he wrote. “Your presence, and that of other top golfers, will inspire many to take up the game in India. ⛳ Great work by @dpworld and @dpwic on a wonderful event. 🇮🇳”

DP World Deputy CEO Yuvraj Narain articulated the vision behind bringing McIlroy to India. “Every sport needs a trigger to capture people’s imagination. The DP World India Championship is exactly that,” he stated. “When young Indians see Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood or Viktor Hovland competing on their home soil, it plants the seed for a lifelong connection with the game.”

India currently has approximately 175,000 registered golfers and 296 golf courses. Golf participation grew 14% between 2016 and 2020. Nevertheless, the sport faces infrastructure challenges with 1,182 golfers per course. Sachin’s endorsement and McIlroy’s presence could accelerate that growth dramatically.

Will this historic moment transform Indian golf? Only time will tell.