McIlroy admits being stunned by reaction to Masters win

Rory McIlroy has admitted to being taken aback by the scale of reaction to his Masters triumph.

- Ewan Murray

Rory McIlroy has admitted to being taken aback by the scale of reaction to his Masters triumph. Two US presidents - Donald Trump and Barack Obama - plus huge names from worlds outside sport have contacted the Northern Irishman since he completed the career grand slam at Augusta National 11 days ago.

Amid moving scenes at Augusta, McIlroy's outpouring of emotion reverberated way beyond golf. The achievement meant "everything and more" to McIlroy. It struck chords elsewhere.

McIlroy, who beat Justin Rose in a playoff to win the Green Jacket, returns to action at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which starts today. The Northern Irishman was in bed with a fever on Monday, and was still slightly jaded when he addressed the media at TPC Louisiana.

"It's been an amazing few days, to be able to reflect on everything that happened and the magnitude of everything," McIlroy said. "I think the big thing for me is just how the whole journey sort of resonated with people and the people that have reached out to me. That's been absolutely amazing. It's not every day you get to fulfil one of your lifelong goals and dreams. I've just really tried to enjoy everything that comes along with that."