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It was a heartfelt return to Northern Ireland this month when Rory McIlroy took his Masters victory lap overseas after completing a career Grand Slam.
Speaking Wednesday ahead of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, where he and pal Shane Lowry will look to defend their 2024 title, the newly minted five-time major champion detailed his recent jet-set across the pond, where he celebrated his first green jacket win with parents Gerry and Rosie, as well as wife Erica Stoll and their 4-year-old daughter, Poppy.
“Yeah, just to be with them, to be with [wife and daughter] Erica and Poppy and my mom and dad and to see Michael Bannon, my lifelong coach, and spend a bit more time with [caddie Harry Diamond] and his wife and just celebrate with the people that have been a part of this whole thing for my entire career, my entire life, was absolutely amazing,” McIlroy said, as covered by NBC Sports.
Days after McIlroy erased an 11-year major drought at Augusta National, when he defeated Justin Rose in a one-hole playoff, the PGA Tour star was photographed departing a private plane in Belfast with Poppy, who was on hand for his Masters victory.
The trip also included a pit stop in London, where McIlroy is building a family home with Poppy and Stoll, with whom he reconciled last summer after a brief divorce filing.
“It’s not every day you get to fulfill one of your lifelong goals and dreams,” McIlroy said Wednesday, according to Golf.com. “I’ve just really tried to enjoy everything that comes along with that.”
McIlroy savored his Masters triumph with Poppy and Stoll on the 18th hole at Augusta, where he embraced his wife before receiving his long-awaited green jacket.
Although his parents weren’t present for that roller-coaster final round on April 13 — in which McIlroy missed a four-foot putt shot on the 18th that sent the tournament to a playoff — moving plans kept them plenty occupied.
“They were glad they had something to do to take their mind off what was happening at the Masters,” McIlroy relayed on Michael Breed’s SiriusXM program.
Much has transpired for McIlroy over the past 12 months.
Last May, he filed for divorce from Stoll after seven years of marriage before reversing course the following month.
“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning,” McIlroy said in a statement to The Guardian in June 2024.
Stoll took part in the family-focused par-3 contest ahead of the 2025 Masters, where Poppy showed off her clutching putting skills.
The Zurich Classic tees off Thursday.
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