Rory McIlroy just defended his Masters title while overcoming a bizarre family superstition. His parents, Gerry and Rosie McIlroy, nearly skipped the 2026 tournament because they believed their absence was the secret to his success.

"My mom and dad weren't here last year to celebrate with us, and surprisingly, I had to convince them to come this year," Rory McIlroy said during the Green Jacket Ceremony.

"They thought that the reason I won was that they weren't here," said Rory McIlroy during the ceremony on Sunday at Augusta, which ESPN shared via YouTube.

"So I'm glad that we proved that wrong, but Mom and Dad, I owe everything,” said McIlroy, his voice breaking as he paused, wiped away tears, and struggled to finish the sentence.

McIlroy’s parents, Gerry McIlroy and Rosie McIlroy, weren’t just staying away out of circumstance this time, but out of superstition. 

McIlroy first played the Masters in 2009 and won it for the first time in 2025, in his 17th start. The win came 16 years after his debut at Augusta. He defeated Justin Rose in a playoff to secure the title and complete the career Grand Slam, joining players like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.

Only Sergio Garcia took more attempts to win his first Masters, needing 19 starts before his 2017 victory.

After that breakthrough, McIlroy returned and won again this season, becoming the first player since Tiger Woods in 2001–02 to win back-to-back at Augusta.

Rory McIlroy says his parents have now seen him win both majors they attended

“Yeah, incredible. It's the second major my mom has been at, a second major win. She was at The Open at Hoylake in 2014,” McIlroy reflected on what his mother’s presence has meant during his biggest wins:

Breaking his parents’ superstition, Rory McIlroy defended his title at the 2026 Masters Tournament with a final score of 12-under par.

He became the fourth player to win the Masters in consecutive years, joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.

Starting the final round tied at 11-under with Cameron Young, McIlroy dropped shots early, including a double bogey on the 4th hole.

He then moved back into control through Amen Corner with birdies on the 12th and 13th, creating a gap going into the closing stretch.

On the 18th, his drive went off line toward the 10th fairway, but he recovered and finished the hole with a bogey to stay ahead of Scottie Scheffler by one shot.

With the win, the 36-year-old reached six major titles and 30 victories on the PGA Tour.

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Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi