1 week Ago By Jack McEachen
Rory McIlroy told his young daughter Poppy to “never give up on your dreams” after winning the Masters . On his 11th attempt, McIlroy was victorious at Augusta and became just the sixth man ever to win all four Majors. And in vintage McIlroy style, it was not without its drama.
The 35-year-old lost a five-stroke lead on the final round and missed a putt on the 72nd hole to win the competition, before birdieing the 18th in a playoff to pip Englishman Justin Rose . At the forefront of celebrations were McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, and their four-year-old daughter Poppy. He made a beeline to them off the final hole and gave Poppy a big hug, letting the tears flow before being comforted by Erica.
As McIlroy later composed himself he had a message for his daughter, who he hopes can take inspiration from her dad’s sixth Major title. As McIlroy later composed himself he had a message for his daughter, who he hopes can take inspiration from her dad’s sixth Major title. “They’ve been with on this journey with me the whole way through,” he said.
“They know the burden I’ve had to come here every year to try and try again. One thing I’d say to my daughter Poppy is 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." After hugging his family, McIlroy shared an emotional embrace with Shane Lowry as he made the iconic walk off the 18th. “I would say it was 14 years in the making from going out with the four-shot lead in 2011, feeling like I could have got it done there,” added McIlroy.
“There was a lot of pent-up emotion that just came out on that 18th green but, you know, a moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it. "I just think all week how I responded to setbacks, I think that's what I'll take from this week. And you know, I couldn't be more proud of myself for that, and being able to bounce back when I needed to.
” McIlroy suffered multiple setbacks during his final round at Augusta, including a heart-wrenching missed five-foot putt to win the title on the 18th. But he was able to show the necessary mental strength to put that disappointment to one side, knowing he was minutes away from returning to the tee and another shot at making history And McIlroy was able to banish any lingering doubts to win a sixth Major, the first he has been able to celebrate since becoming a father to Poppy, sending her a clear message to never give up..
