Rory McIlroy left Masters star 'hurt' after brutal comment at Augusta National

Rory McIlroy left Masters star 'hurt' after brutal comment at Augusta NationalRory McIlroy was quick to get a dig in at a fellow Masters competitor after securing the Players Championship titleCommentsSportAbbie Meehan Senior Sports Writer09:48, 12 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesRory McIlroy dropped a brutal comment on JJ Spaun(Image: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Rory McIlroy's cheeky dig at JJ Spaun came "too soon" after he defeated the American golfer ahead of his Masters triumph in 2025. McIlroy is on the cusp of even more greatness as he co-shares the lead at Augusta National going into the final round on Sunday.‌Before winning the Masters 12 months ago, the Northern Irishman beat Spaun in a three-hole aggregate play-off at the Players Championship last year, making the green on the 17th while the 35-year-old overshot and landed in the water.‌Just weeks later, Spaun ended up in another play-off at the Masters Par-3 contest and McIlroy was quick to remind him of his failing at TPC Sawgrass. Speaking on GOLF’s Subpar podcast at the time, the American opened up about how Rory's words at the typically light-hearted event cut him deep.‌He said: "[Rory’s] like, ‘Are you doing a play-off for the Par-3 Contest?'" I’m like, yeah, I guess. And he’s like, ‘Better get the club right this time.'"That hurt, that hit me deep. Shane Lowry was there, he’s like, ‘F*****g hell, Rory.'JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page‌READ MORE: Rory McIlroy pulls out of tournament as Masters winner gives up chance at £14.8mREAD MORE: Masters LIVE: Rory McIlroy told Tiger Woods point as LIV Golf star slams Augusta"Granted, it was a little rinky-dink par-3, but doesn’t matter, but it was still a little too soon to hear that. [The wound] was not healed yet."This cheeky dig from the current Masters leader actually helped spur Spaun on as he claimed victory at the US Open later in the ye...