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It’s a Masters Sunday Rory McIlroy and his family will forever remember.
Rory McIlroy, the golfer from Northern Ireland, triumphed at the 2025 Masters in a thrilling final round at Augusta National. This victory marked his first green jacket and completed a grand slam in his career as he defeated Justin Rose from England in a playoff. Right after his win, McIlroy shared a heartwarming moment with his wife, Erica Stoll.
Having reunited last summer following McIlroy’s divorce filing in May 2024, the couple lovingly embraced while witnessing the joyous celebration with their 4-year-old daughter, Poppy.
The newly crowned five-time major champion was visibly emotional as he ended an 11-year dry spell in major championships. His previous major win had been in 2014 at the PGA Championship.
“My family, my team, they’ve been on this journey with me the whole way through,” an emotional McIlroy said while wearing the green jacket for the first time. “…The one thing I would say to my daughter Poppy, who is sitting over there, never, ever give up on your dreams.”
Of course, this victory didn’t come easy for McIlroy, 35, who missed a putt on the par-4 18th and bogeyed to send the tournament into a playoff with Rose, who rallied back from a 3-over 75 on Saturday to a 6-under 66 Sunday for a weekend total of 11-under.
Rose, the 2013 U.S. Open winner, previously faced Sergio Garcia in a playoff at the 2017 Masters, where the LIV Golf star prevailed.
McIlroy had many a hurdle to overcome this week, starting with a disastrous opening round Thursday when he double bogeyed on two of the final four holes to post an even 72.
He stormed back Friday with a bogey-free 66, a score he replicated Saturday when he shot six consecutive 3s to open the third round. McIlroy posted a 1-over 73 on Sunday and carded 11-under for the weekend.
Entering this week’s tournament, McIlroy’s best Masters finish was in 2022 when he placed second to Scottie Scheffler.
Before the start of the Masters, McIlroy savored family time with Stoll and Poppy as the trio enjoyed the annual Par 3 contest, where Poppy wowed the crowd with her putting skills.
It’s been a wild 12 months for Stoll and McIlroy, who reversed course on their divorce in June ahead of the 2024 U.S. Open.
“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning,” he said in a statement to The Guardian.
McIlroy married Stoll in 2017. They welcomed Poppy three years later in 2020.