Rory McIlroy’s compassionate gesture reduced a retiring Dubai Golf staff member to tears. The Northern Irishman had been taking part in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic last week, where he concluded joint-33rd with Patrick Reed claiming victory in the tournament.
Despite the disappointing showing from the Masters champion, he ensured he left his mark in a different manner by paying a heartfelt tribute to Ganesh Mangathil. The Indian expatriate had worked as the publishing manager at Dubai Golf for 27 years and had recently declared his retirement.
As he prepared to bid farewell to his daily involvement in the sport, he received a moving send-off from the six-time major champion whose thoughtful gesture moved Mangathil to tears. He told the Khaleej Times: “When Rory heard that I was retiring, he said he wanted to stay back and meet me. I was literally crying. Can you imagine one of the best players in the world waiting for you?”
Footage shared on the official Hero Dubai Desert Classic account captured McIlroy embracing Mangathil as the latter shook his head in amazement. Before taking a photograph together, the world No. 2 presented him with a keepsake shaped like a traditional Arabic coffee pot – called a dallah – in recognition of his lengthy service.
Mangathil continued: “I have known Rory since he was 14 or 15. I am one of his most ardent fans for the style in which he plays golf, and he personally thanked me for my contributions. What more could I want?” With retirement now beginning, he revealed his aspiration is to see McIlroy defend his Green Jacket as he declared: “My biggest wish is to go to Augusta Masters, and watch Rory play.”
Throughout a career packed with enormous achievements, McIlroy has experienced his share of difficult periods, particularly during the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield. Describing his mental condition as “unconscious” and “brain dead”, the then-24 year-old failed to make the cut at the major for the first time in his career after recording +12.
Golf’s most historic major has not returned to Muirfield since that tournament. When questioned whether the championship could make a remarkable comeback in future years, McIlroy endorsed the venue potentially staging the prestigious major once more.
“It’s one of the best courses on the rota and in the UK,” McIlroy stated at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. “But I think, as well, it has to commercially make sense. I think [new RandA chief executive] Mark Darbon has been brought in to make The Open Championship commercially viable.
“I would say Muirfield – that North Berwick area – would probably be one of the more commercially viable Opens. It would be wonderful if it was. I’m not privy to those conversations but Muirfield deserves to be back on the Open rota.”