Rory McIlroy accepts AGW Golfer of the Year award, says he's embracing adulation back home

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Rory McIlroy attended the Association of Golf Writers dinner on Tuesday evening and was decked out in green — Masters green.

McIlroy, who won the Masters in April, wore his Green Jacket to the festivities and received a standing ovation upon his arrival. He attended the dinner to pick up his award as Golfer of the Year for 2024. 

McIlroy grew up 60 miles north of Portrush in Holywood. The World No. 2 completed the career Grand Slam in April, beating Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff for his fifth major and first since the 2014 PGA Championship. In doing so, McIlroy became the sixth golfer to win the career Grand Slam.

The 2025 AGW Annual Dinner got off to a spectacular start with the arrival of surprise guest @McIlroyRory. The Masters champion was in great form and received a standing ovation. pic.twitter.com/Wu4zMhWdDK

— Association of Golf Writers (AGW) (@AGWgolfwriters) July 16, 2025

McIlroy missed the cut at the Open at Portrush in 2019 and said he intended to take a different approach to being the home favorite this time.

“I think it's better for everyone if I embrace it. I think it's better for me because I can – it's nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle with it at times – but it's also nice for the person that is seeing you for the first time in a few years,” he said. “It just makes for a better interaction and not trying to hide away from it.

"I think it's more of an embrace everything that's going to come my way this week and not try to shy away from it or hide away from it, and I think that'll make for a better experience for everyone involved.”

Showing up to the AGW dinner in his Masters jacket definitely qualifies as embracing the week.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: British Open 2025: Rory McIlroy accepts AGW Golfer of the Year award