By Daniel Noble
BACK-TO-BACK Masters champion Rory McIlroy paid a heartfelt tribute to his family following his victory on Sunday.
Rory’s mum and dad, Rosie and Gerry, proudly watched on as their son signed his name into golf ’s record books once again.
The pair have supported the golfing great every step of the way throughout his career. Since Gerry introduced him to golf, with a set of plastic clubs at the age of two, it has been milestone after milestone.
Whether it was practicing chipping balls into a washing machine, going to sleep holding a golf club and eventually completing a haul of major trophies, his parents have been ever-present.
It did not go without sacrifice however, with Rosie and Gerry working extra jobs to fund their son’s golfing aspirations, but it was worth it, given just how far he has gone in his highly decorated career.
None of that has been lost on Rory, with the 36-year-old taking the time to thank those who have helped and supported him all the way.
“It’s the second major win my mum has been at, she was at The Open in Hoylake in 2014,” he said.
“There was a part of them that didn’t want to come this year because they thought ‘we didn’t come last year, but I’m so glad they got to experience this today. We’re all going to have a great time tonight.
“I was a little kid with a dream and the support I have from my family, friends and everyone back home. Some people probably thought it was outlandish to dream the things I wanted to do, but I had amazing support from back home.”
Paying his touching tribute to his parents after his win, Rory continued: “Mum and dad, I owe everything to you. You are the most wonderful parents. If I could be half the parent to Poppy that you are to me, I know I’ve done a good job. Thank you.”
The fourth consecutive Masters title winner also had his wife, Erica, and daughter Poppy present for one of the greatest moments of his career, and he also reserved a portion of his speech for them.
“This is the hard part. I want to say a few thank you’s to the people on my left. First and foremost, my wife and daughter, Erica and Poppy. They have to put up with me at home and, trust me, sometimes that’s a tough thing to do, but they have been my biggest supporters”, he added.
“This has definitely turned into Poppy’s favourite week of the year. I don’t know if it’s because of the par three tournament or the all-you-can-eat ice cream in the players’ services building.”
Rory can now enjoy the celebrations with his loved ones, savouring another career-defining moment, before his chance to bag major number seven arrives at the PGA Championship from May 14-17.
