Rory McIlroy Shares Unknown Heartfelt Masters Story with Daughter, Poppy
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Rory McIlroy appeared at the Today show on Friday, following his visit to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon the day before. As was to be expected, McIlroy's presence on the show revolved around his recent Masters Tournament victory.
It was a time of reminiscing and revelations, as McIlroy offered insights into what happened behind the scenes both during the tournament and after his victory.
The five-time major winner shared several moving stories about his daughter's experience at the Masters. The four-and-a-half-year-old Poppy was at the Augusta National accompanied by her mother and the Northern Irishman's wife, Erica Stoll.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland runs on the seventh hole with his daughter, Poppy McIlroy during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2025...
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland runs on the seventh hole with his daughter, Poppy McIlroy during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. MoreHeartwarming and funny at the same time was the story of Poppy realizing that her father hadn't won the event yet.
"Every golf tournament they set up, like a day care for the kids, and they did this kids' photo one day, and they all got these Augusta National T-shirts, and on the back of them was a list of all the past winners up until 2024," McIlroy said.
"So she came home that day, and she said to me, 'Da Da, why is your name not on the back of the T-shirt? I was like, 'you don't have to rub it in.'"
"So, when I won, I said, Poppy, my name will be on the back of the T-shirt."
The night before, the 29-time PGA Tour winner disclosed at The Tonight Show another emotional and funny story, also with Poppy as the main star:
"She [Poppy] got super-overwhelmed. I don't think she anticipated, like, the loud cheer, so she got a little overwhelmed," McIlroy recalled.
"She started to cry a little bit," he added, "so I picked her up, and then, when we got back to the clubhouse, she wanted to see the video. So she looked at it and she's, like, studying it. And she looked at me and she went, 'It's okay, Dad, I don't think they caught me crying.' That's all she was worried about."
Poppy McIlroy also took center stage during the Par 3 Contest, when she stood in for her father to make a 10-foot putt. The little girl executed the shot in a rather unconventional manner, but ultimately made the putt to the pride of Rory, who celebrated effusively with his playing partner and longtime friend Shane Lowry.
Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters Tournament, defeating Justin Rose in a one-hole playoff. The two were tied on 11 under after 72 holes.
The victory gave the 35-year-old the career Grand Slam, one of the most important achievements a professional golfer can aspire to.
More Golf: Scottie Scheffler Making a Mockery of CJ Cup Byron Nelson
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