Tiger Woods may have been absent from The Masters - but the 15-time major champion is well known for regularly getting in touch to offer his support to Rory McIlroy. McIlroy held off a star-studded chasing pack to successfully defend his Masters crown at 11-under par while his behaviour to his playing partner proved Bryson DeChambeau's point.

He swiftly received a message from Donald Trump, who lost no time in making his thoughts known on the result. As McIlroy claimed his sixth major title, Woods was nowhere to be seen at Augusta. The five-time Masters champion has been taking a step back from golf in the wake of his recent crash and arrest, yet given his longstanding bond with McIlroy, it is highly likely Woods made contact.

Woods and McIlroy enjoy a close friendship away from the fairways. The duo co-founded a company, TMRW Sports, and launched the TGL alongside the PGA Tour, to which Woods made his return during the second season prior to his latest incident.

Following his third FedEx Cup triumph in 2024, McIlroy featured on Netflix's Full Swing. He was captured glancing at his phone with a broad smile, before remarking: "He's always the first. Always. Tiger. Like, he'll text you, like, before the last putt drops. Always the first. He's unreal."

This is not the first time McIlroy has spoken about how Woods gets in touch following rounds of golf - yet he confessed he even "blanked" the PGA Tour icon. Following his notorious collapse at the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, Woods reached out to his friend, only for McIlroy to accidentally ignore him.

He only discovered Woods' words of support when the pair crossed paths at The Open at Royal Troon Golf Club several weeks later. McIlroy said: "Full disclosure, I changed my number two days after the U.S. Open, so I didn't get it until he told me about it today. I was like, 'Oh, thanks very much.' So, I blanked Tiger Woods, which is probably not a good thing."

McIlroy added: "Tiger has been nothing but incredible to me over the course of my career in the good moments and the bad. He sent me an incredible message after [The Open at] St. Andrews in 2022.

"I met Tiger when I was 15 years old, and I've built up a great relationship with him, his whole family. ... I caught up with him earlier. It's always nice when your hero and the guy that you had on your bedroom wall is reaching out and offering words of encouragement."

Woods was absent from Augusta for The Masters as he works to address his issues and concentrate on his recuperation. In his first public statement since the crash, Woods took to social media to write: "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.

"I'm committed to taking the time needed to return to a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time."