Rory McIlroy has won five major titles and completed the career Grand Slam at Augusta in April 2025. But in a recent interview, he spoke far more about being a father than about golf.

In an interview with the Fried Egg Golf Podcast on March 6, McIlroy talked about the role he hopes golf will play in the life of his four-year-old daughter, Poppy.

"I don't want her to have to think that she has to play golf to appease me or spend time with me," he said. "I've done a horrible job as a father if that's what she thinks."

His concern comes from experience. McIlroy has been part of professional golf since he turned pro in 2007, so he knows how demanding the sport is. The last thing he wants is for Poppy to feel that pressure before she even decides if she wants to play.

According to McIlroy, Poppy started liking golf on her own. She already has a swing and enjoys hitting balls. She also likes watching TGL, the indoor tech-based golf league.

But McIlroy made it clear that golf should never feel like an obligation.

The Daughter Who Made Augusta Special

Poppy McIlroy had her own Masters moment before her father. At the 2025 Par 3 Contest, the four-year-old made a putt that excited the crowd and quickly went viral online.

Two days later, McIlroy had one of the most dramatic wins in Masters history, defeating Justin Rose in a playoff. He secured his first green jacket and completed a career Grand Slam. After the win, he hugged Poppy in one of the most memorable and photographed moments of the tournament.

Earlier that week, Poppy came back from the Augusta National daycare wearing a T-shirt featuring past Masters champions on the back. She asked McIlroy why his name wasn't listed.

He answered her on Sunday. McIlroy later told Sky Sports that he'd frame the win for Poppy as "a story of perseverance," adding that he never let years of near-misses at Augusta discourage him. The message runs through both his playing career and his approach to parenting.

One detail from Masters week captured it neatly. Poppy had told McIlroy earlier in the year, when he mentioned going for a lesson with coach Butch Harmon, "But dada, you already know how to play golf." McIlroy called it probably the best advice he'd received in three years. He had the words engraved on his ball marker and carried it through all four rounds at Augusta.

After nearly two decades at the top of professional golf, his biggest concern right now has nothing to do with the leaderboard.

He just doesn't want his daughter to feel she has to earn his time through a golf club.

Do you think Poppy will follow in Rory McIlroy's footsteps one day? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav