Of all of the compliments Rory McIlroy has received during his legendary profession, this was definitely probably the most unique.
The Northern Irishman returns to the Scottish Open this weekend for the primary time as a golf grand slam winner, and can be warmly welcomed as a British icon.
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Winning The Masters in April made him just the sixth man ever to win all 4 golfing majors and he’ll now return to the UK as an all-conquering hero.
Yet whatever praise he gets at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick won’t compare to a bizarre compliment that went viral last season.
Entering the clubhouse ahead of the tournament, comedian Troy Hawke was there waiting to offer him a lift.
The viral celebrity greeter told McIlroy: “You’re like a plucky hero from an animal-based Disney adventure.”
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To which a baffled McIlroy simply replied: “Thanks,” before looking towards the cameras in shock.
He wasn’t the just one either, with Tyrrell Hatton told he was the ‘naughty Hemsworth’, while Justin Rose was told: “You’ve the air of a person who’s quiet in WhatsApp groups yet still respected as a frontrunner.”
Hawke has quickly grow to be one in all the web’s most recognisable comedians for his viral clips, taking over footballers and Formula 1 drivers in his trademark purple gown.
But with McIlroy the wordsmith could have stumbled across a surprise inspiration.
Speaking during his victorious Augusta campaign in April the 36-year-old revealed a surprise latest method he was using to loosen up between rounds.
‘I watched a bit little bit of Premier League football this morning,” the Manchester United fan said when quizzed about his day off.
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“Then I actually watched ‘Zootopia’ with Poppy, very, superb movie if anyone’s interested.”
The 2016 animated Disney film follows a police officer rabbit and con artist fox, a plot removed from McIlroy’s Masters adventure, but definitely enough to loosen up him to get his win over the road in a play off against Justin Rose.
Explaining his mindset before the famous win, he said: “There’s quite a lot of anticipation and form of anxious energy that builds up.
“You simply wish to get on the market and play. So you understand, with all of that, to exit and begin the best way I did, was amazing.
“I’ll have some dinner tonight, possibly attempt to make it through the second episode of the third season of ‘Bridgerton.’
“Fell asleep during episode one last night. And that is it. Yeah, form of put the phone away. Don’t have a look at it. Try not to have a look at it until tomorrow night.”
McIlroy’s latest rest technique definitely worked out ultimately, and created a storyline that would well be fitting of a Disney adventure in years to come back.