Kyodo News

NASCAR Star Reacts To Comparisons To Rory McIlroy

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 10:36 AM ET

The golf world rejoiced when Rory McIlroy finally won the Masters on Sunday. Denny Hamlin could create a similar moment to end the NASCAR season.

Like the green jacket had eluded McIlroy, Hamlin is still seeking his first Cup Series championship. That's despite the 44-year-old building a Hall of Fame resume with 56 career wins, including back-to-back victories at Martinsville and Darlington before finishing second to Kyle Larson in Sunday's Food City 500.

At the end of Hamlin's Actions Detrimental podcast, co-host Jared Allen drew the parallel when recalling 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan's reaction to McIlroy winning the Masters.

"Denny, this is going to be you when you finally win the championship," Allen recalled Jordan saying while watching an emotional McIlroy celebrate.

Asked how he feels seeing McIlroy win the big one, Hamlin compared the Masters to the NASCAR postseason's final four. However, he doesn't think he's in the exact spot as McIlroy.

"There's all kinds of variables," Hamlin said. "The difference in golf is, you're in control of your destiny. In racing, a lot of things are out of your control."

McIlroy has squandered some late leads in heartbreaking fashion, most recently losing a two-shot edge in the final foul holes of the 2024 U.S. Open. He nearly lost control Sunday when double-bogeying on the first hole and missing an 18th-hole putt that would have solidified the career-defining triumph.

On the other hand, Hamlin doesn't think he's personally faltered since losing the 2010 title to Jimmie Johnson.

MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - MARCH 29: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 29, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

"All the rest of the times that I've had a chance to win a championship, there's not anything I could have done different," Hamlin claimed. "The cards just didn't align on that particular day."

Hamlin reasoned that McIlroy probably feels "a huge sense of accomplishment" after winning the Masters. He can see the 35-year-old going on a "massive run" now that he's no longer under immense pressure to win his first green jacket.

"They weren't identifying him by his accomplishments. They were identifying him by his failures," Hamlin said. "For him, it's got to be a great feeling to get that weight off of him. And now, who knows, I think he'll be one of the favorites to win the Masters for the next five, 10 years."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: