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Boston College guard Fred Payne commits to Oregon Ducks, filling key position.
Donald Trump interrupted his speech at a state dinner to honor Rory McIlroy, the two-time defending Masters champion, during King Charles III's visit. Trump praised McIlroy's courage and achievements in golf.
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Donald Trump makes Rory McIlroy stand for Masters ovation at state dinner
Even in a room with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Rory McIlroy was the one President Donald Trump stopped his speech for.
The two-time defending Masters champion was among the guests at the White House state dinner April 28 during King Charles III state visit to Washington when Trump interrupted his own prepared remarks to single him out.
āThe entire world has been uplifted by this distinct and special character we share,ā Trump said. āSpeaking of that, whereās Rory McIlroy? Can you stand up Rory, will you please? That was unconquerable courage. I had to interrupt my speech because I watched that man win a tournament. That wasĀ a toughĀ on.Ā Congratulations,Ā veryĀ proudĀ of you.ā
McIlroy, 36, won his second straight Masters earlier in the month at Augusta National, edging Scottie Scheffler by one shot to become just the fourth player in history to win back-to-back green jackets.Ā He now has six major championships.
Trump had already praised McIlroy on Truth Social after the Masters win, calling him āmore and more a LEGENDYā with each passing year.
McIlroy, who had been critical of Trumpās handling of the COVID crisisĀ in 2020, has played golf with the presidentĀ several times. After a round in 2025, McIlroy said the two had a āgood discussionāĀ regardingĀ the PGA and its rival LIV Golf.
Despite the warm reception from Trump, McIlroy isĀ skipping thisĀ weekendāsĀ Cadillac Championship Tournament at Trump National Doral. The tournamentĀ is the first PGAĀ eventĀ in a decadeĀ to be played on that course.
McIlroy wasĀ a guestĀ at the state dinner with his wife Erica.
Donald Trump interrupted his speech to honor Rory McIlroy, recognizing his achievements as the two-time defending Masters champion.
Trump praised McIlroy for his 'unconquerable courage' and expressed pride in his accomplishments, specifically mentioning his recent tournament win.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were among the notable guests at the White House state dinner during their visit to Washington.
The state dinner took place on April 28, coinciding with King Charles III's state visit to the United States.
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Rory McIlroy closed out the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National with a finalāround performance that secured victory on Sunday.
These images tracked McIlroy through the final round as he finished on top of the leaderboard at the Masters.
Above, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland played his shot from the seventh tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the second green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks off the fourth tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy plays an approach shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy putts on the ninth green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the seventh green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and caddie Harry Diamon wait on the first fairway during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy walks on the sixth green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the fifth tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Patrons watch as Rory McIlroy tees off on the third hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy watches his putt on the 15th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy reacts toward the patrons after making a birdie putt on the eighth green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy walks the 13th fairway during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the fifth hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy tees off on the 12th hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Cameron Young and Rory McIlroy prepare to putt on the 11th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the fourth green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy gestures to patrons after putting for a birdie on the 13th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Cameron Young putted for par.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the fourth tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Cameron Young of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the second fairway during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the fifth hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the fourth green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the fourth green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy reacts towards the patrons after making a birdie on the third hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy walks up to the first green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy plays a shot from a bunker on the second fairway during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy reacts on the fifth green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy takes a shot on the first fairway during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy, caddie caddie Harry Diamond and Cameron Young, and caddie Kyle Sterbinsky walk up the first fairway during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his caddie Harry Diamond waits on the 17th hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy looks over the 16th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 13th hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a shot on the 18th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland chips onto the 17th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy reacts after a putt on the fifth green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy greets Cameron Young before teeing off on the first hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy closed out the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National with a finalāround performance that secured victory on Sunday.
These images tracked McIlroy through the final round as he finished on top of the leaderboard at the Masters.
Above, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland played his shot from the seventh tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
1 / 38
Rory McIlroy closed out the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National with a finalāround performance that secured victory on Sunday.
These images tracked McIlroy through the final round as he finished on top of the leaderboard at the Masters.
Above, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland played his shot from the seventh tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the second green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks off the fourth tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy plays an approach shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy putts on the ninth green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the seventh green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and caddie Harry Diamon wait on the first fairway during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy walks on the sixth green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the fifth tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Patrons watch as Rory McIlroy tees off on the third hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy watches his putt on the 15th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy reacts toward the patrons after making a birdie putt on the eighth green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy walks the 13th fairway during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the fifth hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy tees off on the 12th hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Cameron Young and Rory McIlroy prepare to putt on the 11th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the fourth green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy gestures to patrons after putting for a birdie on the 13th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Cameron Young putted for par.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the fourth tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Cameron Young of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the second fairway during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the fifth hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the fourth green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the fourth green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy reacts towards the patrons after making a birdie on the third hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy walks up to the first green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy plays a shot from a bunker on the second fairway during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy reacts on the fifth green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy takes a shot on the first fairway during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy, caddie caddie Harry Diamond and Cameron Young, and caddie Kyle Sterbinsky walk up the first fairway during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his caddie Harry Diamond waits on the 17th hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy looks over the 16th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 13th hole during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a shot on the 18th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland chips onto the 17th green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy reacts after a putt on the fifth green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy greets Cameron Young before teeing off on the first hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump praises Rory McIlroy at state dinner with King Charles