Rory McIlroy hints at daughter Poppy's future career as he reflects on second Masters triumph

Jack Otway
Fri, 01 May 2026 14:06:31 +0000

Rory McIlroy has suggested his daughter Poppy may already be developing a passion for the sport that made him famous.

Speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards, the Northern Irish golfer disclosed that his five-year-old is regularly accompanying him onto the fairways.

The back-to-back Masters champion, who shares Poppy with wife Erica Stoll, indicated she could potentially forge her own path on the LPGA Tour one day.

McIlroy, currently ranked world number two, secured his sixth major title last month at Augusta National, matching a feat last achieved by Tiger Woods in 2002.

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The six-time major winner made clear he would never pressure his daughter towards a professional career in the sport.

"I would say that is up to her," McIlroy stated.

"If that's what she wants to do, I would be 100 percent behind her and support her. But if that's not what she wants to do, I am happy to support her in whatever she wants."

He expressed delight that Poppy has developed an affinity for golf and enjoys their time together on the course, adding that if her interest grows into something more significant, it would be wonderful, but either way golf will remain part of her life.

Poppy has already demonstrated her own golfing prowess at Augusta National.

During last year's par-three contest, McIlroy allowed her to attempt a challenging 25-foot putt on the ninth hole, which she holed to rapturous applause from the gallery.

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Just four days later, it was her father commanding the crowd's attention as he finally completed the career Grand Slam after 11 agonising years of near-misses at Augusta.

This April, McIlroy claimed his second green jacket in consecutive years, becoming the first golfer since Tiger Woods in 2002 to achieve back-to-back Masters triumphs.

Reflecting on his 2026 triumph compared to the previous year, McIlroy described the experience as more grounded and fulfilling.

"This year's win compared to last year's, it felt more real, more complete," he explained at the awards ceremony.

"When I won in 2025, I kept thinking to myself, 'is this real life?', the way it happened, and there was this outpouring of emotion. This year it was like validation."

Having his parents present made the occasion particularly special, with his mother witnessing him lift a major trophy for the first time since the 2014 Open Championship, 12 years earlier.

McIlroy also celebrated golf's capacity to unite different generations on the course.

"The great thing about golf is you can play it when you're three years old and you can play when you are 83 years old," he remarked.

"It's amazing that grandparents can play with grandkids or I can go out and play with my daughter Poppy."