One day later, Rory McIlroy got his wish.
Meeting with the media Tuesday at Oak Hill ahead of the PGA Championship, the two-time PGA Champion was asked if he had ever met Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, known as an avid golfer himself and someone who closely follows professional golf.
“I know he’s a big golf fan. I haven’t met him. I think he played Pebble Beach pro-am this year, but I didn’t play there,” McIlroy said Tuesday. “Yeah, I’d obviously love to meet him.”
You never know who you are going to run into at the PGA Championship. #PGAChamp | @mcilroyrory @joshallenqb @vonmiller pic.twitter.com/HrpIeVUVNS
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 17, 2023
The stars have aligned. McIlroy met Allen Wednesday afternoon while preparing to play his 15th PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester. The host course is about five miles away from Irondequoit, where McIlroy’s wife Erica was born and raised. It’s also 75 miles away from Buffalo.
Allen, along with several Bills teammates, were honored guests at a PGA Works Beyond the Green event on Tuesday. Allen returned on Wednesday and met with McIlroy, who admitted Tuesday that he has admired the cannon-armed passers game from afar.
“It certainly makes it easier to root for the Bills when Josh Allen is throwing the football.” McIlroy said.
Despite their celebrity status, close geographical connections and shared affinity for golf, McIlroy and Allen have never crossed paths before Wednesday. Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller was there as well.
McIlroy is aiming for his third PGA Championship victory which would make him a winner like the Bills, a team that has won three consecutive AFC East division titles. The pursuit begins for McIlroy on Thursday as part of a featured group at 8:11 a.m. EST when he tees off alongside Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa.
8 total Majors. 5 of the last 11 PGA Champions.
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2023
Who adds to their trophy case this week?@ROLEX | #ROLEX pic.twitter.com/cgD3BFKkLT
