Rory McIlroy pens letter to young fan who caught Tour Championship ball

The late, great Arnold Palmer was a big fan of sending letters to winners of golf events around the world and of responding to each and every piece of fan mail.

It seems Rory McIlroy has taken up Mr. Palmer’s affinity for reaching out to fans through the mail as well.

McIlroy sent a letter to the young man who caught the ball he threw toward the gallery after making an eagle 2 on the 70th hole of the Tour Championship in September. Ultimately, that shot was pivotal in McIlroy making a three-man playoff before eventually defeating Ryan Moore to win the season-ending event, the FedEx Cup and its $10 million prize.

The fan, named Brady, got the letter, which was shared with ESPN’s Jason Sobel, who is friends with Brady’s uncle.

The letter reads:

Hi Brady!

I hope you are keeping well. I just want to thank you for coming to watch me at the Tour Championship. I also believe you were able to get the ball I threw into the spectators after my eagle on 16. Very well done! That shot turned the Tournament in my favour and helped me to eventually win this year’s FedEx Cup.

I’m also so glad that somebody young was able to get it before an adult! I hope the ball and this short letter remind you that I have always wanted young people to do well in life. It may be at school, playing sport or even just being with your family, but doing your best is really what’s most important.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.