Rory McIlroy has opened up after his parents missed his spectacular triumph at the Masters earlier this month.
The golfer became the sixth player in history to achieve the career Grand Slam after fending off competition from Justin Rose to emerge victorious at Augusta.
The win came 11 years after McIlroy's last major, with the 35-year-old cutting an emotional figure as he etched his name into the history books.
McIlroy, in the aftermath of his win, celebrated with wife Erica Stoll and their four-year-old daughter, Poppy.
Rory McIlroy has opened up after his parents missed his spectacular triumph at the Masters earlier this month
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But there was no sign of his parents, with Rosie and Gerry instead staying back in Northern Ireland.
McIlroy, speaking ahead of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans this week, has now opened up on their absence.
He says they weren't in America because they were moving house. And, rather amusingly, the golfer also joked that they were 'glad' to be doing that - instead of watching him cope with the nerves.
“They were glad they had something to do to take their mind off what was happening at the Masters," he explained.
McIlroy also said they 'said it was a good thing' they weren't there.
After winning at Augusta, the Briton returned to Northern Ireland to finally catch up with his parents and celebrate his triumph.
On how the trip was, he continued: "Very emotional.
"It was amazing to relive the week — and not just relive the week but the entire journey we’ve been on to get to this point.”
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Rory McIlroy has enjoyed some time with his family following his win at the Masters earlier this monthGETTY"Being an only child, I obviously have an extremely close bond with my parents, and to be able to share this with them was incredibly special.”
Meanwhile, there was confusion last week when McIlroy landed in Northern Ireland without wife Erica.
He has since clarified the situation, however, revealing they spent a few days in London to check on a new house that's being built.
"It's been an amazing few days after and to be able to reflect on it and everything that happened and the magnitude of everything," he said.
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"The big thing for me is how the whole journey is how it resonated with people.
"It's not every day you get to fulfil one of your lifelong goals and dreams.
"We first went to London with Erica and Poppy to see our new home that we're building and we made the trip over to Belfast to see a few other people that are important to us.
"Just to be with them, to be with Erica and Poppy and my mum and dad.
Rory McIlroy is set to play with Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic of New OrleansGETTY"To see Michael Bannon my lifelong coach and spend a bit more time with Harry (Diamond) and his wife.
"[To] celebrate with the people that have been part of this whole thing for my entire career was absolutely amazing."
