‘Has To Be An Advantage’: Despite His Strong Relationship With Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy Never Crosses A Line With Him, He Once Revealed

Every sport has an athlete who has scaled great heights and is revered for it. In golf, Jack Nicklaus is one such athlete. The ex-pro golfer has achieved extraordinary accomplishments during his career and has gone on to earn the respect of the entire golf world. The current world No. 1, Rory McIlroy too, has immense admiration for the legend and once even revealed a boundary he has maintained with him out of respect.

McIlroy is currently one of the best golfers in the world. He often looks to Nicklaus for advice and was once even surprised by the golf legend at a lunch with an award.

Rory McIlroy has some boundaries set with Jack Nicklaus

In a 2020 article as per the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, McIlroy once stated, “He’s always been really generous with his time with me, offered any sort of advice that I wanted or needed.” The golf pro believed he was very fortunate to have that. He said, “To have that at my disposal has to be an advantage.”

McIlroy viewed Nicklaus as a mentor in life and admired him greatly. He never wanted to be seen as misusing that; hence, he drew himself a line. He would always treat Nicklaus as a superior, not a friend, and always show him respect. He doesn’t even directly call up the golf legend.

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“I don’t ring him up, I ring his secretary up and say, ‘I’d like to schedule a meeting, please,’” he stated. McIlroy explained that he was very honored that he knew he could call Nicklaus whenever he needed some advice or guidance.

McIlroy ensures others around him respect Nicklaus too

The world’s best golfer, as per the OWGR, certainly has high regard for Nicklaus. At the same time, he also makes sure those around him respect the golf legend too. Once, he met Nicklaus with his father, Gerry. Gerry shook Nicklaus’ hand and called him Jack. But McIlroy quickly intervened. “You don’t call him Jack. He’s Mr. Nicklaus,” he stated.

McIlroy and Nicklaus live in the same area. Hence, they undoubtedly bump into each other often. But the pro golfer knows he has a line he never crosses and continues to treat the 18-time major championship winner with the utmost respect.

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Do you think McIlroy is right to set that boundary with Nicklaus? And if so, do you think the golf legend respects him just as much? Let us know in the comments below.