After finally winning the coveted Masters tournament title that has eluded him for years, Rory McIlroy made sure to recognize those who helped him make it possible.
Following his thrilling showdown with Justin Rose in the final round on Sunday, an emotional McIlroy addressed his family and highlighted the support they have given him every year as he kept trying to win.
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The Masters was the only major tournament missing for McIlroy to complete the Grand Slam. And for the past 11 years, the 35-year-old went without any major titles, as the burden of the Masters hovered around him.
“My family, my team, they’ve been on this journey with me the whole way through,” McIlroy said as he tried to fight back his tears. The camera then panned to his wife and daughter.
He added, “They know the burden that I’ve carried to be able to come here every year and try and try and try again.”
Making his speech even more emotional, McIlroy also sent a strong message to his daughter, highlighting the lesson he had learned during his pursuit of the Masters.
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“The one thing that I would say to my daughter Poppy, who’s sitting over there: never give up on your dreams,” McIlroy added. “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. I love you.”
Rory McIlroy’s Masters win is undoubtedly a story of perseverance, and he couldn’t have said things better with his message to his daughter.
In the final round of the Masters, it looked like the Northern Irish golfer would have another horrifying ending to his title bid after blowing a four-stroke lead heading into the final day and being forced into a sudden-death playoff with Justin Rose.
Rory McIlroy holds his daughter Poppy and walks with his wife Erica after finishing the Par 3 Contest at The Masters.Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images
However, McIlroy pulled through. Now, he joins Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen as the only golfers to ever win a Grand Slam.
Related: Patrick Mahomes Had One Word For Rory McIlroy After Beating Justin Rose
