Rory McIlroy’s professional golf career was overshadowed for a short time in 2024 by his relationship problems with Erica Stoll. The Irish athlete filed for divorce in May of that same year, but Erica was by his side,

On Sunday, after McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a playoff to win the Masters Tournament and become the sixth player to complete the career grand slam, he scooped up Poppy in an emotional embrace. At the Green Jacket Presentation Ceremony, McIlroy’s voice cracked as he began to talk about his family and team.

Falling to his knees after Sunday’s final putt, McIlroy dropped his head as low as it could go. He pressed his forehead upon the 18th green, pulled up a few inches and unleashed a yell that reached from 2025 in Augusta to 2011 in Augusta. And from Pinehurst to Los Angeles to St Andrews. And from his house in Florida to his home in Northern Ireland.