Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory tribute to wife Erica and their daughter for ‘putting up with me’ leaves five-year-old Poppy blushing

Rory McIlroy was the toast of Augusta bosses on Sunday, but his heart-warming congratulatory speech left a shy spectator embarrassed.

The Northern Irishman successfully defended his Masters crown on a turbulent final day, especially defying challenges from Cameron Young and Justin Rose to win the first major of the year.

McIlroy, 36, finally won his sixth career major with a putt off a charging Scottie Scheffler to finish at 12-under-par.

After achieving victory, he hugged his best friend and caddie, Harry Diamond, and then hugged his five-year-old daughter, Poppy, off the court once more.

He kissed his once-wife Erica Stoll, with whom he filed for divorce in May 2024 and reconciled a month later, before embracing his parents Rosie and Gerry as the celebrations began.

During his pitch, McIlroy made one family member blush with embarrassment by reminiscing about a loved one: his five-year-old daughter, Poppy.

Rory McIlroy overcome with emotion after sealing Masters victory in front of his family

Golfer’s heartwarming speech leaves five-year-old daughter Poppy embarrassed after prank

‘I’d like to say a few thank yous to the people on my left. First of all, my wife, my daughters Erica and Poppy, they have to put up with me at home and sometimes they have to trust me, it’s a difficult thing. But they became my biggest supporters,” he said.

‘This has definitely turned into Poppy’s favorite week of the year.

‘I don’t know if it’s because of the Par Three tournament or if it’s the only ice cream you can get in the player services building.’

The joke sparked laughter among attendees and caused the daughter to cover her face in mild embarrassment.

The show of unity with his wife comes almost two years after unsubstantiated rumors emerged that McIlroy was seeing golf journalist Amanda Balionis, known for her flirtatious on-air style and ability to charm often reticent athletes.

Viewers were stunned when McIlroy did not mention his wife in an interview with Balionis at the 2024 Wells Fargo tournament, which coincided with US Mother’s Day.

Surprise turned to shock a day later when he filed for divorce from his wife of seven years, declaring their union ‘irretrievably broken’.

Looking for a reason for the unsolicited announcement, observers noted the apparent closeness between Balionis and McIlroy during the interview.

Days later, the Daily Mail broke the news of an alleged affair between the pair after McIlroy was seen picking up a takeaway on behalf of Balionis in San Diego, California, where the presenter has a home.

Neither Balionis nor McIlroy addressed the romance rumors, which were never confirmed.

The journalist interviewed him during this year’s Masters; They had heart-to-heart conversations, and the Northern Irishman left her in hysterics at one point on Friday.

However, McIlroy and Stoll reconciled shortly after filing for divorce and appear to be a happy couple.

McIlroy and daughter Poppy share a loving embrace at the Par Three tournament on April 8

The 36-year-old celebrates with wife Erica Stoll – reconciling almost two years after filing for divorce

His move at the time came amid intensifying and unfounded rumors about his relationship with Amanda Balionis.

McIlroy leaves journalist in hysterics after their interview at Augusta on Friday

McIlroy became the fourth golfer in history to win back-to-back at the Masters, emulating Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.

Currently at six majors, the world number two is eager to add to his tally.

‘It took me ten years to win my fifth major, and my sixth major followed soon after,’ he thought.

‘I’m not putting a number on it, but I definitely don’t want to stop there.’

While the victory wasn’t as emotional as it was a year ago, it was no less special for McIlroy when he broke down in tears on the 18th; this time with his parents in attendance – he missed it 12 months ago.

“A few times I caught myself thinking about this on the golf course and said, ‘No, not yet, not yet.'”

‘It’s really nice 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 wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for them.

‘I had to convince them to come this year because they thought the reason I won last year was because they weren’t here.

‘When the ball went past us and I marked it from like two inches out (at the end) I looked at the back of the pitch because I saw Mum, Dad, Erica and Poppy and I said, ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this again.’

‘It’s not that emotional but it’s just, wow, gorgeous. ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this again.’

‘I said on the green that I was happy we proved that wrong, so they could keep coming as long as they wanted. It’s great to have them here. ‘I’m excited to celebrate with them tonight.’

Northern Ireland player celebrates wildly with father Gerry, who failed to qualify for last year’s tournament

McIlroy’s mother Rosie wipes away tears after seeing his victory at Augusta on Sunday

Later detailing the influence his parents had on his career, an emotional McIlroy said: ‘I’m so glad they got to experience that today. We’re all going to have a great time tonight. I was a little kid with a dream and the support I had from my family, friends and everyone at home.

‘Some people probably thought it was weird to dream about the things I wanted to do. But I have received incredible support from my hometown and I can’t thank them all enough for this continued support.

‘My mum and dad weren’t here to celebrate with us last year 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 much as they want.’

Despite placing first in six events, this was the second time her mother had witnessed it in person. He was at Hoylake for the Open Championship victory nearly 12 years ago.

“There was a group of people who didn’t want to come this year because they thought, ‘Okay, we didn’t come last year, maybe that’s the reason,'” he said.

‘You are wonderful parents and if I can be half as good a parent to Poppy as you are to me, then I know I’m doing a good job.’