Rory McIlroy delivered an emotional message to parents Rosie and Gerry as he stood for a second successive year as Masters champion – declaring in a tearful tribute “I owe everything to you”.

One year on from his first Augusta triumph – a landmark victory which put McIlroy one of six players in golf history to have won each of the four majors – the Northern Ireland hero added his name to another set of records as only the fourth to ever win back-to-back Masters.

His 2025 triumph marked a milestone moment in McIlroy’s career but he stood in the Georgia sunshine sporting another green jacket surrounded by family and revealed Sunday’s win was especially poignant for one very personal reason.

"Yeah, it's really cool to have them here (his parents)…they missed it last year,” said McIlroy. “And the first thing I wanted to do was fly home to see them because I obviously wouldn't be sitting up here if it wasn't for them.

placeholder image — Rory McIlroy sporting the green jacket and holding on to his second successive Masters trophy surrounded by family at Augusta on Sunday, from left, father Gerry, mother Rosie, daughter Poppy and wife Erica. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

"I had to sort of convince them to come this year because they thought the reason I won last year was because they weren't here…I'm glad we proved that wrong.

"So they can keep coming as long as they want.

“Yeah, it's amazing to have them here...I'm excited to celebrate with them tonight.”

His post-win celebrations also included words of praise for wife Erica and five-year-old daughter Poppy.

“This is the hard part,” said McIlroy during the official green jacket presentation on the famous course. “I want to say a few ‘thank yous’ to the people on my left...first and foremost, my wife and daughter, Erica and Poppy.

"They have to put up with me at home...trust me, sometimes that's a tough thing to do.

"They have been my biggest supporters.

"This has definitely turned into Poppy's favourite week of the year...I don't know if it's because of the Par 3 tournament or it's all-you-can-eat ice cream in the Player Services building.”

He ended with more thanks to his parents by saying “Mum and dad...I owe everything to you.

"You're the most wonderful parents.

"If I could be half the parent to Poppy as you were to me, then I know I've done a good job.”

During media interviews the 36-year-old highlighted how family members were often in his thoughts around the final round and how he even managed to spot everyone in the crowd over the final minutes before confirming victory with a final putt.

“In the moment (on the 18th green), I think when the ball trickled by and I marked it there from two inches or whatever, I just looked at the back of the green and I give it one of these because I saw my mom and dad and Erica and Poppy,” he said. “And I was just like ‘I can't believe I've just done it again’.

"I caught myself on the golf course a couple of times thinking about them (his parents) and I was like ‘no, not yet, not yet’.

“Yeah, more joy...not as emotional (as 2025) but just, wow, it's amazing.”