Rory McIlroy's mother goes viral for heartwarming bag as son claims second Masters crown

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 13/04/2026

- 08:38

The Briton finished ahead of Scottie Scheffler on Sunday

Rosie McIlroy, Rory McIlroy's mother, went viral at the Masters on Sunday as her son claimed the prestigious prize for the second year in a row.

Rosie was absent from Augusta 12 months ago when McIlroy beat Justin Rose in a tense play-off to finally complete the career Grand Slam.


This time around, both of the Northern Irishman's parents were in attendance as the golfer finished ahead of Scottie Scheffler to become just the fourth man in history to claim the title two years on the trot.

Rosie, watching on, was all smiles as her son emerged victorious - overcoming both nerves and emotion to add a sixth major to his collection.

But it was her bag that gone fans talking, with Rosie apearing to be carrying a bespoke accessory crafted from newspaper coverage of her son's career achievement at Augusta last year.

Images of the unique bag spread rapidly across social media platforms, with fans praising the gesture as a touching display of maternal pride.

"This the kinda sports mom I'm tryna be," one user posted on X.

Another commented: "There is literally nothing not awesome about this."

A third fan wrote: "Love that his parents were there to see him WIN."

McIlroy, for many years, was unable to win the Masters. Opportunity after opportunity passed him by, leading to a sense that he was always destined to go without.

Rosie McIlroy, Rory McIlroy's mother, went viral at the Masters on Sunday as her son claimed the prestigious prize for the second year in a row

Rosie McIlroy, Rory McIlroy's mother, went viral at the Masters on Sunday as her son claimed the prestigious prize for the second year in a row

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Now, however, the 36-year-old has established himself as the most-dominant Masters player of his current era having successfully kept Scheffler at bay to make more history.

Speaking after his triumph, McIlroy admitted that his parents nearly didn't attend the event.

Having not been present at Augusta when he claimed his first green jacket, they felt that their absence was perhaps the reason he was finally able to go all the way.

McIlroy explained: "It's only the second major win my mum's been at, she was at The Open in Hoylake in 2014.

"There was a piece of them that didn't want to come this year after not being here last year but I'm so glad they got to experience this today.

"I can't believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket and now I get two in a row.

Rory McIlroy poses for a picture with his family after winning the Masters

Rory McIlroy poses for a picture with his family after winning the Masters

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GETTY

"I think all of my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off.

"It was a tough weekend. I did the bulk of my work on Thursday and Friday, but I'm just so happy to hang in there and get the job done."

He added: "I don't make it easy!

"I used to make it easy back in my early 20s when I was winning these things by eight shots.

"No, it's just hard. It's hard to win golf tournaments, especially around here. You've had maybe a couple of runaway winners over the years, but it always seems to be a very tight finish at this golf course. I think it's the nature of the golf course, it's the nature of what's at stake.

"I certainly didn't think I was home and dry after Friday night, and I knew I still needed work to do. But I still thought I would need to shoot under-par to get the job done, but thankfully I did enough."