Rory McIlroy breaks into tears thanking family in emotional speech after winning The Masters

Callum Vurley
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:01:32 +0000

Rory McIlroy couldn't hold back the tears as he delivered an emotional victory speech after claiming his second consecutive Masters title at Augusta National.

The 36-year-old Northern Irishman held off world number one Scottie Scheffler by a single stroke, finishing on 12-under par after a nail-biting final round.

It's a truly historic achievement – McIlroy becomes the first golfer since Tiger Woods in 2002 to successfully defend the green jacket.

When his final putt dropped, McIlroy looked skyward and let out an enormous roar before embracing caddie and best friend Harry Diamond on the 18th green.

What a rollercoaster Sunday it turned out to be for the defending champion.

McIlroy had built a remarkable six-shot advantage at the halfway stage, looking utterly dominant heading into the weekend.

But things got properly nervy when that cushion vanished entirely, leaving him two strokes behind early in the final round.

Both Cameron Young, his playing partner, and Justin Rose – the man McIlroy defeated in last year's play-off – took turns leading the tournament.

The Northern Irishman responded brilliantly, stringing together consecutive birdies from the seventh hole, then adding back-to-back gains from the 12th to surge three clear.

Rose and Scheffler kept pushing, setting up a thrilling finale.

McIlroy's most touching moment came when he addressed his parents Rosie and Gerry during the presentation ceremony.

"My mum and dad, they weren't here last year to celebrate with us," he said, visibly emotional.

"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."

The two-time champion then delivered a heartfelt tribute: "I owe everything to you. You are the most wonderful parents and if I can be half the parent to Poppy as you are to me, I know I'll have done a good job."

He also shared a special embrace with wife Erica and daughter Poppy beside the 18th green.

This triumph cements McIlroy's place among golf's all-time greats.

With six major championships to his name, he now equals Sir Nick Faldo's European record – the second-highest tally for any player from this side of the Atlantic.

He joins an incredibly exclusive club too, becoming only the fourth golfer alongside Nicklaus, Faldo and Woods to win back-to-back Masters titles.

McIlroy was keen to prove his 2025 victory wasn't a one-off.

"I did want to come back and prove that last year wasn't a fluke," he said at the presentation.

"The Masters continues to be the shining light of the majors, and I'm so honoured and thrilled to win for the second time."