Rory McIlroy is currently on cloud nine after winning the Masters for the first time in his career, but his Augusta victory has not come without controversy. The Ulsterman is set to lose a significant chunk of prize money and many have had their say on McIlroy.
Here, Express Sport takes a look at the latest news surrounding McIlroy just two days on from completing the career Grand Slam.
Rory McIlroy loses prize money
McIlroy is officially set to rake in a whopping £3.2million payout for his playoff win over Justin Rose. That prize money was increased from the £2.8m Scottie Scheffler received a year ago, but also ensures that the new champion faces a higher bill.
Paul Barham, head of international private client tax at Forvis Mazars, explained how much McIlroy will be taxed on his earnings to Express Sport: “Any prize money earned will be subject to US federal tax, the top rate of which is still 37 per cent. Golfers will also have to pay state tax in Georgia at 5.39 per cent.
“The US tax will be paid by all the golfers playing at Augusta regardless of where they are tax resident and if they are a tax resident in the US, they shouldn’t pay tax on this prize money in any other country.”
Such figures mean that McIlroy will need to pay in the region of £1.36m in federal and state tax, leaving him with £1.84m. As he is a Florida resident, he will not be subject to to further UK taxes.
Caroline Wozniacki takes swipe
Caroline Wozniacki, McIlroy’s ex-girlfriend, was at the Masters to watch the man she used to be engaged to take the top gong. They infamously ended their relationship over a phone call shortly after wedding invitations were sent out in December 2013.
The tennis player was joined by her husband and posed for a picture with Roger Federer at Augusta, having also sat down with ESPN to note her delight at some stars’ failings.
“Watching someone who is so good at their craft I think has always been very inspiring, whether it’s tennis, golf, at work, whatever it is,” she said. “As a spectator, it’s always fun to see when the best in the world are struggling, and that’s what you get here.”
And some fans perceived that as a slight at McIlroy, who at the time was sitting seven points off the lead and dodged speaking to the media.
Tiger Woods slammed
Speaking in his new green jacket, McIlroy took the opportunity to describe comments made by the likes of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as unhelpful.
He vented his frustration after pressure was once again placed on him by the predictions of several golf legends: “It’s tough. You’ve had Jack, Gary [Player], Tom [Watson], Tiger, you name it, come through here, and all say that I’ll win the Masters one day. That’s a hard load to carry. It is. It really is.
“These are idols of mine, and look, it’s very flattering that they all come up here and they believe in me, and they believe in my abilities to be able to win this tournament and achieve the Grand Slam and all that, but it doesn’t help, you know? I wish they didn’t say it.”