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The Sun
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘We were a mess' – Rory McIlroy opens up for the first time on emotional reunion with parents following Masters win
RORY MCILROY admitted he was "a mess" during his emotional reunion with his parents after winning The Masters. The Northern Irishman claimed the Green Jacket after beating Justin Rose in a play-off at Augusta. 5 5 5 5 It meant he achieved a career grand slam and got his hands on the fifth major of his career. McIlroy was emotional immediately after he sunk his putt to win, dropping to his knees in relief before letting out a cry. He later broke down in tears after speaking about his parents Gerry and Rosie and the sacrifices they made to support his career. McIlroy, 36, flew back to London after his Masters win before a trip to Holywood, Northern Ireland, to see his mum and dad. Speaking ahead of the Truist Championship, McIlroy described how emotional he became during the reunion. He said: 'I just wanted to see my parents and the people that were closest to me, and we had a really nice two days. 'With my dad, like I never get that emotional with my dad. It was great. It was great to see him. 'Then when I saw my mom, I-yeah, we were both a mess for a few minutes.' McIlroy revealed his parents watched the Masters win from their home in Northern Ireland - as they were in the middle of moving house. He called them from the course as he sat on a buggy, minutes after first being presented with the Green Jacket. 'That one got me' - Rory McIlroy reveals hilarious Elton John exchange after winning The Masters As he collected his prize from Scottie Scheffler, McIlroy paid a tearful tribute to his parents. He said: 'I would say it was 14 years in the making, going out with a four-shot lead in 2011, you're feeling like I could have got it done there. 'There was a lot of pent-up emotion that came out on that 18th green. 'But a moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it. 'I want to say hello to my mum and dad, they're back home in Northern Ireland. 'They did (make a lot of sacrifices). I can't wait to see them next week. Just can't wait to celebrate this with them.'
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rory McIlroy reveals he was reduced to a 'mess' after seeing his mum and dad for the first time since his Masters triumph and admits he tried to keep his homecoming as 'private as possible'
Rory McIlroy cut an emotional figure when acknowledging the sacrifices his parents had made to help him go on to win his first Green Jacket at Augusta National, a little over three weeks ago. In the world of sport, many of the greatest athletes to have lived credit their success to the support network they have around them. Stories have revolved of how parents have devoted themselves to helping their children achieve greatness, ferrying their children to training sessions or saving up the pennies to buy the best sports gear. And the 36-year-old's mum and dad, Rosie and Gerry, were no different, sacrificing their time around their busy 100-week working lives to help their son immortalise himself in golfing history. Now, speaking ahead of this weekend's Truist Championship, McIlroy has opened up on the emotional moment he met his mum and dad for the first time since achieving his historic Career Grand Slam. His parents were unable to watch him clinch the coveted Green Jacket in the flesh, as they were back at home in Northern Ireland, moving into a new house. But a couple of days after his epic victory, McIlroy, his wife Erica and daughter Poppy flew back home to celebrate his monumental victory with friends and family, first heading to London to see the new home they are building before jetting back to Holywood in Northern Ireland. 'I just wanted to see my parents and the people that were closest to me, and we had a really nice two days,' McIlroy said on Wednesday, ahead of this weekend's Truist Championship, adding that he wanted to keep his trip back home 'as private as possible'. 'With my dad, like I never get that emotional with my dad. It was great. It was great to see him. 'Then when I saw my mom, I -- yeah, we were both a mess for a few minutes.' His parents, who hailed from a working-class background, have been by his side through thick and thin. Gerry, a scratch golfer himself, worked three jobs - one of which involved cleaning toilets and showers at alocal sports club before going to work as a bartender. Rosie had worked night shifts at a factory as both strived to give their son the best chance of success as a professional player. 'I am a working-class man and that's all I knew to get the money we needed for Rory to be able to learn and compete at golf,' Gerry had previously told Mail Sport. For McIlroy, being able to share that incredible achievement with his mum and dad was a moment he will cherish. 'Look, as an only child, I have a bond,' the three-time FedEx Cup winner said on Wednesday. 'I'm lucky, and I know a lot of people feel this, that they have a close bond with their parents, but I think as time goes on and I'm getting a little older, I realize that they're not going to be around forever. 'It means even more that they were still around to be able to see me complete the slam and fulfil those dreams.' His victory comes 14 years after the heartache of his capitulation on the back nine at the 2011 Masters. This was a tournament that has dogged him for so long, with McIlroy coming agonisingly close to winning in 2022, which was sandwiched by two missed cuts in 2021 and 2023. But it was as though fate finally manifested itself on April 13, McIlroy had banished his demons at Augusta, finally ended his 11-year major drought, and sunk to his knees on the 18th green in an outpouring of relief and elation. Had he always known he'd win the coveted Green Jacket? 'I always had hope,' the world No 2 said. 'It's not as if I wasn't going to show up at Augusta and feel like I couldn't win. The week that I feel like that, I'll go up there for the Champions Dinner and swan around in my green jacket, but I won't be playing. 'Yeah, I always had hope. I always felt like I had the game. And like I think, as everyone saw on that back nine on Sunday, it was about getting over. I don't know what the right phrase is, but defeating my own mind was sort of the big thing for me and getting over that hurdle.' His back nine at Augusta was a rollercoaster of emotions, with McIlroy going five shots clear through 10, before chipping into the water on 13 for a double bogey. On the 15th he'd produce an incredible approach shot pulling his golf ball around the trees to go down for a birdie, before bogeying the 18th to go to a play-off with Justin Rose. 'Look, I'm just glad that it's done,' he said, speaking on that final day. 'I don't want to ever have to go back to that Sunday afternoon again. I'm glad that I finished the way I did, and we can all move on with our lives.' But McIlroy says after winning the Masters, he is feeling a 'lot less pressure' heading into next week's event at Quail Hollow McIlroy is certainly moving in the right direction. Now, a week out from the PGA Championship, it feels like the shackles are off and McIlroy is ready to play free - which is a dangerous thought for the rest of the field. That becomes more intimidating, noting that he has won four times at Quail Hollow while playing on the PGA Tour. 'I'm obviously going to feel more comfortable and a lot less pressure, and I'm also going back to a venue that I love. 'It's nothing but positive vibes going in there next week with what happened a few weeks ago and then with my history there and how well I've played at Quail. 'Yeah, it probably will feel a little bit different. I probably won't be quite as on edge as I have been for the last few years when I've been at major championships. 'I'll probably be a little bit better to be around for my family, and I'll be a little more relaxed. I think overall it will be a good thing.'
