Rory McIlroy had a lot of people to thank as he received the green jacket for winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National for the second year running.
He had his entire family there with him to celebrate, including his wife Erica, his daughter Poppy, and his parents, Gerry and Rosie. Rosie was there in person to see her son win a major for just the second time in his career, making it to a victorious major Sunday for the first time since the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
After thanks his wife and daughter (including a playful ribbing about the free ice cream), McIlroy turned to his parents and immediately started welling up.
"Mom and Dad, I owe everything to you," he said, taking a pause. "You're the most wonderful parents, and if I could be half the parent to Poppy as you were for me, then I know I've done a good job."
Gerry McIlroy has spent so much time traveling with McIlroy over the years, and the pair won the Seminole Pro-Member this year as a duo. Rosie, though, hasn't traveled as much. She picked up extra work, as did Gerry, as McIlroy was growing up to earn the money needed to keep him competitive, furthering his dreams and allowing him to play in critical tournaments.
Gerry worked 100 hours a week, cleaning toilets and showers at a local sports club in the mornings, then bartended at Holywood Golf Club -- where McIlroy grew up learning the game -- until 6 pm, then returned to the sports club to work continue bartending in the evenings. Rosie looked worked night shifts packaging rolls of tape at a 3M factory.
Now, their son's dreams have come true, and he has them to thank for their incredible love and sacrifice.
