"That's the only memory I have of him.”
Rory McIlroy is revealing how he celebrated his career-defining win just two weeks ago.
The 35-year-old PGA Tour golfer, who is currently the No. 2 ranked golfer in the world, per the OWGR, became the sixth golfer to earn a Career Grand Slam with his win at the 2025 Masters on April 13.
It was his first major win in more than a decade and solidified himself as one of the game’s all-time greats.
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On April 23, the girl dad opened up about his life in the two weeks since his thrilling playoff victory while speaking to the media at TPC Louisiana as he prepared to compete in the Zurich Classic.
Despite battling a cold, he described life as “absolutely amazing,” per NBC Sports.
"I spoke to two Presidents the day after [winning the Masters]."
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) April 23, 2025
Rory McIlroy reflects on the number of people who resonated with his Masters victory. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BtITFUpo0k
“Yeah, just to be with them, to be with 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,” he said of his recent trip to Ireland to celebrate his accomplishment.
“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,” he added.
McIlroy met his wife Erica Stoll in 2012 when he was still dating tennis player Caroline Wozniacki. The pair split in 2014 — and rumors of a relationship between McIlroy and Stoll started shortly after.
Rory McIlroy lifting up and hugging his daughter Poppy.
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) April 13, 2025
This is what it’s all about. #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/T6XikBqLvc
Stoll and McIlroy announced their engagement in 2015 and tied the knot two years later at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland, according to Us Weekly.
In 2020, the couple welcomed their first and only child — a daughter named Poppy.
After sinking his final Masters' putt on April 13, the cameras caught McIlroy enjoying the moment with his wife and daughter, who were at the 18th hole watching it all happen.
One video shows him picking up Poppy and hugging her as the tears continued to flow.
McIlroy’s daughter has become a star in her own right
McIlroy’s win was the perfect way to end the week after his daughter went viral just several days prior for sinking a lengthy putt during the Par 3 Contest.
After helping his daughter line the putt up, McIlroy stepped back and watched as Poppy softly tapped the ball towards the hole.
It was a slow runner — much like when a toddler rolls a bowling ball down the alley — but the closer it got to the hole, the more hyped McIlroy and his close friend, fellow golfer Shane Lowry got.
Poppy McIlroy converts the lengthy putt on No. 9! #themasters pic.twitter.com/6Vfkfxm3v7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2025
It was a putt all golfers dream of making someday — yet most struggle to turn into reality.
Poppy did it 4 years old.
One day prior, McIlroy opened up about how his daughter is starting to understand his international fame while speaking to media members at a pre-Masters press conference.
“I think, especially after the Players (Championship), I think it was the first time that she sort of realized what I did, which was really cool. Also a little scary at the same time,” McIlroy said.
"[Poppy] came home to me that day and said, 'Daddy, are you famous?'"
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) April 8, 2025
Rory's daughter, Poppy, is finally figuring out what her dad does for a living. 😂 pic.twitter.com/fPIi7HMiwW
McIlroy won the 2025 Players Championship on March 16 — becoming the eighth golfer to win the event (often regarded as the unofficial fifth major) more than once. He also won in 2019.
“The day after the Players, she went into school and there was a couple of kids that had said some stuff to her, and she came home to me that day and said, ‘Daddy, are you famous?’” McIlroy recalled.
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“I said, ‘It depends who you talk to,’” he added. “It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. You have to temper the expectations sometimes.”
