Rory dines at the White House

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bruced
March 15, 2012

Rory McIlroy returned to Washington on Wednesday, scene of his greatest triumph, to dine at the White House.

Rory McIlroy returned to Washington on Wednesday, scene of his greatest triumph to date – his eight-shot victory at the 2011 US Open – to dine at the White House.

The Northern Irishman was back in the US capital as one of 300 guests invited by President Barack Obama to attend a state dinner at the White House in honour of British Prime Minister David Cameron.

The American President has admitted to being “a huge golf fan” and, like the rest of the golf world, watched in awe as the Northern Irishman romped to his overwhelming US Open victory last summer just a few miles away at Congressional Country Club.

McIlroy is currently on a three-week break ahead of re-launching his bid for a Masters Green Jacket following his final-round implosion at Augusta last April.

Still 22 until his next birthday on May 4, McIlroy earlier this month moved to the top of the World Rankings list at the expense of fellow Brit, Luke Donald, when he won the Honda Classic at PGA National in Florida and then reinforced his position by finishing third last week at the WGC-Cadillac Championship behind Justin Rose.

Golf seemed a fair distance away on Wednesday night, though, as McIlroy, suitably clad in a dark suit and tie, joined with the other rich and famous on the South Lawn.

McIlroy tweeted on Thursday morning: ‘Unbelievable experience at the White House last night! Big thanks to @BarackObama for the invite! We’ll get that golf swing sorted soon!’

Sir Richard Branson, George Clooney and Hilary Clinton were at the gathering – the largest yet for an Obama state dinner – while the English band, Mumford and Sons, provided the entertainment.