WATCH NOW: Paul Coyte hails Rory McIlroy after Masters triumph
The 35-year-old has become just the sixth player in history to achieve the career Grand Slam
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Immediately after winning the Masters, and ending his agonising wait for a first major since 2014, Rory McIlroy went to wife Erica Stoll.
The couple shared a loving embrace, with the tears flowing after McIlroy had become just the sixth golfer in history to achieve the career Grand Slam.
They then posed for photographs, with their four-year-old daughter Poppy, as the Augusta patrons cheered with gusto.
McIlroy also broke down in tears discussing his family after his triumph. He says they have stuck by him, no matter his troubles on the course, and that his finest achievement is down to all the support he's received.
Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll embraced at the Masters as the golf star won the first Green Jacket of his career
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It was a situation that seemed unfeasible last year when it emerged that McIlroy had filed for divorce from Erica, with the pair previously marrying back in April 2017.
But it is one that shows the couple's relationship is stronger than ever, despite their past issues.
A month after filing for divorce, McIlroy confirmed that the duo had reconciled their differences and would be staying together.
Releasing a statement to the Guardian at the time, he said: "There have been rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate.
"Responding to each rumour is a fool's game. 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."
Since then, McIlroy's stock has only grown.
He came extremely close to US Open glory in 2024, only for Bryson DeChambeau to pip him to the title in dramatic circumstances at Pinehurst.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy calls out Tiger Woods and three other golf legends after securing Masters glory
The winning putt 🌺🏆 pic.twitter.com/TZiZnyKFrB
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 13, 2025
But McIlroy, with his family cheering him on, has now ended his drought by winning the Masters for the first time.
So, what next for the 35-year-old? Having now reached the pinnacle of the sport, what can he possibly achieve next?
Well, McIlroy isn't done yet. Far from it.
"You can't win all four majors in a year if you haven't won the first one," he said when asked about his next target.
"There is a lot more golf to play this year and the next major is at Quail Hollow which is somewhere I have loved for the most part of my career.
"The Open at Port Rush, the Ryder Cup at Bethpage- there is a lot of golf left and I have gotten off to a great start.
"I can't wait to keep it going."
On what winning the Masters means to him, the golfer added: "I have thought about it a lot and I dreamed one day this would happen but to have your name mentioned alongside those greats of the game.
"It is hard to put into words. I wasn't thinking about that out there, I was thinking about winning a golf tournament and that is hard to do anyway.
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Rory McIlroy poses with his wife Erica Stoll and their daughter, Poppy, after winning the Masters
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"The burden and baggage of what I carry into this tournament each and every year, to be able to shed all of that after today is amazing.
"It has been a lot. Coming in here and pretty much being the centre of attention at The Masters every time you tee it up and not in a good way, in a pretty pressure-packed way.
"Each and every year that I have come here I have learned how to handle that burden a little bit better.
"I wish I had done it sooner- it took me a little time to figure it out. Thankfully I was able to get over the line in the end."