PIE OF THE TIGER

Mcllroy changed his number after pain of Pinehurst and missed message of support from his pal Woods

- CRAIG SWAN

RORY McILROY changed his number and missed the precious message of backing from idol Tiger Woods.

But the Northern Irishman insists he’s fully dialled-in again for Major redemption. And McIlroy is at Royal Troon gunning for glory with a superstar ally.

The 35-year-old’s painful US Open loss last month was a crushing blow.

In the wake of the Pinehurst pain, McIlroy altered his phone digits to avoid unwanted contact as he headed for New York.

Unfortunately, that meant he didn’t get the heartfelt text sent by Woods, who tried getting in touch to offer backing and understanding.

Given he had photos of the 15-times Major champion on his wall as a kid, McIlroy is almost blown away that he now gets to call Tiger a mate.

But he smiled and said: “Full disclosure, I changed my number two days after the US Open, so I didn’t get it (text) until he told me about it today.

“I was like, ‘Oh, thanks very much’. So I blanked Tiger Woods, which is probably not a good thing!

“I met Tiger when I was 15. I’ve built up a great relationship with him, his whole family. He really enjoys spending time with my mum and dad as well, so it means a lot that he reached out.

“Actually, it means a lot that he waited a few days, which if he hadn’t have waited that long, I probably would have got it!