Rory McIlroy celebrated his second Irish Open title at The K Club with an emotional embrace from his wife Erica and young daughter Poppy, capping a dramatic finish to one of the most memorable weeks of his career.
The world No 2 needed an eagle on the final hole of regulation to force a play-off with Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren.
Under immense pressure, McIlroy delivered, holing a 27-foot putt on the 18th to spark wild celebrations from the packed galleries in County Kildare.
He went on to seal victory at the third extra hole, securing his first Irish Open win since 2016—also achieved at The K Club.
Rory McIlroy celebrated his second Irish Open title at The K Club with an emotional embrace from his wife Erica and young daughter Poppy, capping a dramatic finish to one of the most memorable weeks of his career
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Moments after holing the decisive putt in the play-off, McIlroy was met by Erica and Poppy.
A video shared on social media showed the 36-year-old celebrating in a marquee before being greeted by his family.
The tender embrace, posted by the DP World Tour with the caption “Rory’s biggest fans,” underlined how much the victory meant on and off the course.
McIlroy reflected on the support he received throughout the week.
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“There are very few players who get the kind of support I do when I come home,” he said.
“To do what I did earlier in the year and then come back here and win my national open – 2025 is going to go down as one of the best, if not the best, of my career.
"But I’m not finished yet.”
The triumph earned McIlroy a winner’s cheque of just under £1million and strengthened his position as one of the standout players of the season.
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Rory's biggest fans 😍#AmgenIrishOpen pic.twitter.com/SgLyBWIAAk
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 7, 2025
Earlier in the year, he claimed the Masters at Augusta to complete golf’s career Grand Slam, a feat achieved by only five other male players in the history of the sport.
At one stage during Sunday’s final round, McIlroy was part of a four-way tie for the lead as he lined up a putt on the 13th hole.
But his strong finish, capped by that remarkable eagle, ensured he added another chapter to his long association with The K Club.
The course was also the scene of his first Irish Open win in 2016, when he birdied the last two holes to claim the title.
The emotional significance of this year’s success was clear in McIlroy’s post-round interviews.
He dedicated his earlier Masters triumph to his daughter Poppy, telling her: “Never give up on your dreams. Never, ever give up on your dreams. Keep coming back, keep working hard, and if you put your mind to it, you can do anything. Love you.”
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Rory McIlroy hugged daughter Poppy after making more history at the Irish Open
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On Sunday, she was there in person to witness another landmark moment in his career.
With his national championship secured for a second time, McIlroy will now turn his focus to the remaining events on the DP World Tour calendar and the Ryder Cup later this month.