All posts tagged: Rory

Rory McIlroy Says LIV Players Should Be Able to Return to PGA Tour, but He’s Not Sure They Want To

Rory McIlroy Says LIV Players Should Be Able to Return to PGA Tour, but He’s Not Sure They Want To

Published by Sam Flores

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Rory McIlroy is no longer opposed to LIV Golf players returning to the PGA Tour, but he said Friday that “it’s a question of if they do want to come back.” McIlroy said the answer will likely depend on what happens with LIV’s financial situation in the coming months. Last month, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund pulled the plug on future funding for LIV Golf, which had lured away stars including Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau with lucrative, guaranteed contracts. LIV’s uncertain future raises new questions about whether some players should be allowed to return to the PGA Tour — and if so, under what set of rules or penalties. Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton are among the players who remain under contract with LIV beyond this season. “If it is a scenario where they have the option to come back and play on the traditional tours, I think (PGA Tour CEO) Brian Rolapp has said anything that makes this tour stronger, anything that makes the DP World Tour stronger, I think …

The Highs and Lows of Rory McIlroy’s Thrilling Masters Win

The Highs and Lows of Rory McIlroy’s Thrilling Masters Win

Published by Jenni Sidey

Last year, Rory McIlroy—the now just shy of 37-year-old golfer from Northern Ireland—won his first Masters championship. And last night, he did it again. Back-to-back Masters wins are rare; only three other men have defended their titles (Jack Nicklaus in 1965 and 1966, Nick Faldo in 1989 and 1990 and Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002). The summit, held annually at the August National Golf Club in Georgia, is 90 years old; these repeats are unusual. During an interview afterwards, McIlroy told the media: “I can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and now I get two in a row. I can’t believe I did it again.” There were moments, though, when it looked like his second green jacket—the fairway grass-hued blazer that’s the symbolic trophy of the Masters, though victors do also get some hardware—might need to be tailored for someone else. On Thursday and Friday, McIlroy put together an impressive six-stroke lead over the field. The sweeping romanticization that tends to build in golf discourse, especially during major tournaments, …

Emotional moment Masters winner Rory McIlroy reunites with wife Erica and daughter Poppy in epic triumph

Emotional moment Masters winner Rory McIlroy reunites with wife Erica and daughter Poppy in epic triumph

Published by Daniella Wilson

There are victories that define careers, and then there are moments that define a life. For Rory McIlroy, his triumphant win at the 2026 Masters Tournament was both, but it was what happened after the final putt dropped that truly captured hearts. As the roars echoed across Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, the Northern Irish star, visibly overwhelmed, made his way off the course not towards the spotlight, but towards his family. Waiting for him were his wife, Erica Stoll, and their young daughter, Poppy, and what followed was an emotional reunion that quickly became the defining image of the tournament. © Augusta National/Getty ImagesRory McIlroy celebrates with his daughter Poppy following the final round of the Masters In one tender moment, Rory wrapped his arms tightly around Erica, burying his face into her shoulder as the weight of the achievement seemed to finally settle. It was a hug filled with relief and years of perseverance. © Augusta National/Getty ImagesRory celebrates with his wife Erica after winning the Masters Moments later, he crouched …

Rory McIlroy becomes a golfing great with back-to-back Masters titles  – live reaction

Rory McIlroy becomes a golfing great with back-to-back Masters titles  – live reaction

Published by Sam Flores

By any and every measure the 36-year-old must now be considered one of the greatest of all time and, after he fended off the fast-finishing Scottie Scheffler, the countdown has already started to see if he can go where no other Masters champion has before: win three in a row. There can be no doubt that this is his manor after a display of clinical fortitude. He lost a six-shot advantage on Saturday and after a double-bogey on the fourth – courtesy of a three-putt from nine feet – and a bogey on the par-three sixth, he was two off the pace. And with Justin Rose pulling a few clear at the turn and world No 1 Scheffler poised to make his run, it looked bleak for McIlroy. But he did not panic and having largely fixed his left miss in Saturday night’s late, emergency practice session in the floodlights, he stuck by his gameplan. McIlroy outblasted and ultimately outlasted his rivals, including the world No 3 Cameron Young – and prevailed over Scheffler (68) …

Rory McIlroy wanted to ‘prove last year wasn’t a fluke’ with historic second Masters win | World News

Rory McIlroy wanted to ‘prove last year wasn’t a fluke’ with historic second Masters win | World News

Published by Sam Flores

Rory McIlroy has achieved a historic win at the US Masters golf tournament, taking the title for the second year in a row. The 36-year-old, from Northern Ireland, is only the fourth player to become a back-to-back champion – joining the elite group of Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods – and matches Faldo’s tally of six majors. His win topped a nailbiting final day of making up ground after losing a record-breaking six-shot lead heading into the weekend at Augusta National in Georgia. Image: Rory McIlroy hits from the pine straw on the 18th hole during the final round of the tournament. Pic: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images via Reuters In a final round where three players had a two-shot lead, McIlroy seized control with a bold shot over Rae’s Creek to 7 feet for birdie on the par-3 12th. The world number 2 then blistered a 350-yard drive on the par-5 13th that set up another birdie to move three shots ahead. There were a few shaky moments but McIlroy posted a one-under …

Rory McIlroy surges six clear and sets Masters record after stunning display

Rory McIlroy surges six clear and sets Masters record after stunning display

Published by Sam Flores

McIlroy sounded without fear about the prospect. “I’ve built up a nice cushion at this point. I guess my mindset is just trying to keep playing well and keeping my foot on the gas,” he said. “Don’t protect it. Go out and play freely, keep swinging. A big part of the lesson from the 2011 Masters to the 2011 US Open was: don’t get protective. Go out there and keep playing, keep trying to make birdies, stay as trusting and as committed as possible.” McIlroy knows his pursuers well. In fact, he knows Patrick Reed only too well. The divisive American saw off McIlroy in the last pairing in 2018 to don his Green Jacket. And then, three years ago, McIlroy took a little revenge over Reed at the Dubai Desert Classic in an almighty ding-dong that involved the American throwing a tee at the Northern Irishman and a feud developing through the media. It could still be delicious and following his 69, Reed agreed. “It’s one of those golf courses that if you go …

Rory McIlroy Stumbles at the Masters and Now Shares the Lead With Cameron Young

Rory McIlroy Stumbles at the Masters and Now Shares the Lead With Cameron Young

Published by Sam Flores

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — That one-man show at the Masters gave way to a wide-open chase for the green jacket with a stunning turn of events that forced Rory McIlroy to remind himself where he was at the end of Saturday instead of where he started. The six-shot lead was gone in 11 holes. Instead of only two players within six shots of him, there were nine players within six shots of McIlroy and co-leader Cameron Young by the of the day. “There’s a lot of guys in with a chance tomorrow. I’m still tied for the best score going into tomorrow, so I can’t forget that,” McIlroy said. “But I do know I’m going to have to be better if I want to have a chance to win.” It felt like the coronation had started when McIlroy put himself in the Masters record book with the largest 36-hole lead in history, even though the defending champion had cautioned, “I know what can happen around here, good and bad.” The good belonged to Young, that …

Rory McIlroy’s m decision that uprooted his wife and daughter

Rory McIlroy’s $12m decision that uprooted his wife and daughter

Published by Daniella Wilson

Rory McIlroy and his family have a new place to call ‘home’ after the golfer made a $12 million decision to uproot his wife and daughter. The Northern Irishman relocated with his wife, Erica Stoll, and their daughter, Poppy, to the UK a few months after he won the Masters last year. The family of three swapped their $22 million mansion on Jupiter Island, Florida, for a six-bedroom gated house in the Wentworth estate, close to the exclusive Wentworth Club golf course in Surrey, last July. Rory purchased the property in 2023 but spent 18 months renovating it into an even grander home with an extension and a complete revamp of the grounds. Rory revealed that their new abode was the first place he visited after his grand slam victory at Augusta last April. “Straight after Augusta, we travelled over to see the house as it was going through the finishing touches,” he told Telegraph Sport. © Getty ImagesRory moved his family into a $12m home in the exclusive Wentworth Estate in Surrey “It was fun to …

When is Rory McIlroy playing at the Masters today? UK tee times for round two

When is Rory McIlroy playing at the Masters today? UK tee times for round two

Published by Sam Flores

Rory McIlroy goes into the Masters second round today tied for the early lead at Augusta National. McIlroy will face stiff competition from world no1 Scottie Scheffler and co-leader Sam Burns, but the likes of heavily fancied LIV Golf pair Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm face a tough task to make the cut after nightmare opening rounds. McIlroy will be able to watch most, if not all, of his rivals tee off before taking to the first in the penultimate group. When is Rory McIlroy playing at the Masters today? McIlroy tees off at 6.44pm BST on day two – Friday, April 10, 2026 – at Augusta. He will again play alongside Cameron Young and amateur Mason Howell. ” loading=”lazy” class=”sc-eqUAAy kgsspP”/> Rory McIlroy on day one at Augusta National REUTERS What time does the Masters start? The first group tees off for the second round today at Augusta at 12.40pm BST, which is 7.40am local time in Georgia. Masters 2026 day two UK tee times 12.40pm: Samuel Stevens (US), Sung-jae Im (Kor) 12.50pm: Andrew …