Rory McIlroy broke down in tears when discussing his parents after he fended off competition from Justin Rose to win the Masters on Sunday.
The Briton needed a play-off to secure glory, having missed a putt to claim the Green Jacket on the 18th hole.
Rose started strongly but McIlroy was eventually able to get the better of the 44-year-old and achieve the career Grand Slam.
It was a huge moment for the Northern Irishman, who has finally triumphed at Augusta at the 17th attempt.
Rory McIlroy broke down in tears when discussing his parents after he fended off competition from Justin Rose to win the Masters on Sunday
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McIlroy's parents, Rosie McDonald and Gerry McIlroy, weren't present in the United States to watch their son make history.
Yet they were always in the golfer's thoughts and, when quizzed on them, he couldn't hide his emotions.
"I would say it was 14 years in the making," he said.
"Going out with the four-shot lead in 2011, feeling like I could have got it done there. Yeah, there was a lot of pent up emotion that just came out on that 18th green.
"A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it. I want to say hello to my mum and dad. They're back home in Northern Ireland ..."
As he struggled to keep his composure, McIlroy added: "They (made a lot of sacrifices), and I can't wait to see them next week. I just can't wait to celebrate this with them."
While his parents stayed at home, McIlroy's wife Erica Stoll was present to watch his moment of magic.
So too was the couple's four-year-old daughter, Poppy.
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The winning putt 🌺🏆 pic.twitter.com/TZiZnyKFrB
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When asked what advice he'd give Poppy, 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."
McIlroy, prior to yesterday's action, had previously choked on the big stage.
Just last year he squandered a lead as Bryson DeChambeau got the better of the Briton to win the US Open.
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McIlroy admits he had moments when he thought he'd never get his hands on a Green Jacket. Now he has, however, he's 'honoured' and 'thrilled' at joining such an exclusive club.
"This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time, and I think the last ten coming here, with the burden of the grand slam on my shoulders, and trying to achieve that," he said.
"I'm sort of wondering what we're going to talk about going into next year's Masters.
"But I'm just absolutely honoured and thrilled, and just so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion."
Rory McIlroy was cheered on by his wife and daughter as he won the Masters on Sunday
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To make the moment even sweeter, McIlroy has won £3.2million in prize money.
He faces losing nearly half of that sum due to tax reasons, however.
