Two Irish superstars will join forces tonight as Co Mullingar’s One Direction singer Niall Horan will caddy for Co Down’s Rory McIlroy at the Masters par 3 warm-up round.
Horan and McIlroy are two of the most successful people to come out of Ireland in the last decade, and both seem to have the world at their feet for years to come in their respective fields.
Today’s par 3 is the final round for the players before the real action starts tomorrow at Augusta. McIlroy is grouped with Bradley Neil and Morgan Hoffmann and will tee off at 3.09pm Eastern Time. His first round proper is alongside US legend Phil Mickelson and Ryan Moore, currently 8th in the US Money List, starting at at 10.41am ET.
The par 3 is traditionally a relaxing round for players to enjoy with their friends and families.
Horan is a big golf fan and is an honorary life member of his local club in Mullingar. He admits he was thrilled when McIlroy requested he act as his caddy and swiftly announced the news on Twitter.
Horan is not the first celebrity to don the iconic white caddy jumpsuit though. Tennis legends Andy Roddick and Chris Evert have also carried out the caddying duties in the past, for Zach Johnson and Greg Norman respectively.
Tournament favourite McIlroy told Sky Sports News: “I’ve got Niall from One Direction caddying for me, which should be good fun. He’s been excited to come here. He’s never been to the Masters.
“I caught up with him in Australia at the end of last year and he was really excited, and I said, if you’re available Wednesday afternoon and you want to carry the bag for nine holes, you’re more than welcome.
“He’s excited to be here and (I am) looking forward to spending a bit of time with him out there.”
The world’s best golfer is aiming to complete his career Grand Slam over the next four days, with the Masters the only major missing from his collection. He has previously won the 2011 US Open, the 2014 Open and the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championships.
