Rory McIlroy was the toast of the Augusta patrons on Sunday, but his heart-warming celebratory speech left one shy spectator feeling embarrassed.
McIlroy successfully defended his Masters crown on a topsy-turvy final day as he fended off the challenges of Cameron Young and Justin Rose in particular to win the first major of the year once more.
The 36-year-old won his sixth career major in the end by one shot from a charging Scottie Scheffler to finish 12-under-par.
After putting for victory, he hugged his best friend and caddie Harry Diamond before receiving another hug off the green with his five-year-old daughter Poppy.
After kissing his wife Erica – who he once filed for divorce for in May 2024, before reconciling a month later – he then embraced his parents Rosie and Gerry as the celebrations began.
And during his presentation speech, McIlroy paid tribute to his loved ones – leaving one member of his family blushing in embarrassment.
‘A few thank yous 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 said.
‘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 it’s the all you can eat ice cream in the player services building.’
The joke sparked laughter among those in attendance and caused his daughter to cover her face in light-hearted embarrassment.
The show of unity comes almost two years after unsubstantiated rumours emerged that McIlroy was seeing golf reporter Amanda Balionis, known for her flirtatious on-air style and skill at drawing out often taciturn sportsmen.
When McIlroy failed to mention his wife during his interview with Balionis at the 2024 Wells Fargo tournament which coincided with US Mother’s Day, onlookers were bemused.
A day later, when he filed for divorce from his wife of seven years, declaring the union ‘irretrievably broken,’ bemusement turned to shock.
Looking for a reason for the unprompted announcement, observers noted the apparent closeness between Balionis and McIlroy during their interview.
Days later the Daily Mail broke the news of an alleged affair between the pair after McIlroy was seen picking up a takeaway in Balionis’ name in San Diego, California, where the presenter has a home.
Neither Balionis nor McIlroy has ever addressed their rumoured romance, which was never confirmed.
However, McIlroy and Stoll reconciled not long after and appear to be every bit the happy couple.
McIlroy becomes just the fourth golfer in history to win back-to-back at the Masters – emulating Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.
Now on six majors, the world No 2 is desperate to add to his tally.
‘It took me 10 years to win my fifth major, and then my sixth one’s come pretty soon after it,’ he reflected.
‘I’m not putting a number on it but I certainly don’t want to stop here.’
While the victory was not as emotional as a year ago, when he broke down in tears on the 18th, this was no less special for McIlroy with his parents in attendance this time – having missed out 12 months ago.
‘I caught myself on the golf course a couple of times thinking about them and I was like “No, not yet, not yet”,’ he said.
‘It’s really cool to have them here. They missed it last year and the first thing I wanted to do was fly home to see them because I obviously wouldn’t be sitting up here if it wasn’t for them.
‘I had to sort of convince them to come this year because they thought the reason I won last year was because they weren’t here.
‘When the ball trickled by and I marked it there from two inches or whatever (at the last) I just looked at the back of the green because I saw my mum and dad and Erica (his wife) and Poppy (his daughter) and I was just like “I can’t believe I’ve just done it again”.
‘Not as emotional, but just, wow, it’s amazing. I can’t believe I did it again.’
‘I said on the putting green that I’m glad we proved that wrong, so they can keep coming as long as they want. It’s amazing to have them here. I’m excited to celebrate with them tonight.’
Elaborating later on the impact his parents have had on his career, an emotional McIlroy said: ‘I’m so glad that 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 that I have from my family, my friends, everyone back home…
‘Some people probably thought it was outlandish to dream the things that I wanted to do. but I had amazing support from back home, and can’t thank them all enough for that continued support.
‘My mum and dad – they weren’t here last year to celebrate with us and surprisingly I had to convince them to come this year because they thought the reason I won was because they weren’t here… I’m glad we proved that wrong, so they can keep coming as long as they want.’
Despite winning six majors, this was only the second time his mother witnessed it in person. Twelve years ago, she was at Hoylake for his Open Championship triumph.
‘There was a piece of them that didn’t want to come this year because they thought, “okay, we didn’t come last year; maybe that was the reason”,’ he said.
‘You are the most wonderful parents and if I can be half the parent to Poppy that you’ve been to me then I know I’ve done a good job.’
