When Rory Mcilroy was a young golfer, for the first time he wandered to the United States at the age of 19-20, where he had him, there were parents, Mr. Gerry and Mrs. Rosie, next to him. Mcilroy does not need them to support logistics, because at the age of 10, the prodigy was used to being alone around the world. His parents still worked full time to support the expensive amateur golf journey. They are with him for another reason, which is mental support. Rory was the only child, and they were a family of three, a real team.

In the following years, Rosie almost at home in Holywood, Northern Ireland, and Mr. Gerry often appeared, especially in Major in the US or events in Florida.

Then, on the historic Sunday at Augusta National – the biggest day in Rory’s career – when he finally won at The Masters and completed the Grand Slam collection. But Mr. Gerry and Mrs. Rosie were not present. They followed him from home in North Ireland.

People may feel emotional surgery in Mcilroy when he mentioned his parents in the interview at Butler Cabin with Jim Nantz (CBS Sports). He put on the prestigious Green Jacket, and wore it proudly. The day Mcilroy turned professional, he had thick black curly hair and his body still had a little chubby teenager. And now, he is much more solid, his hair is silver in time, cut in a classic style.

“We have talked about this journey, about what Gerry and Rosie did so that their son could win the Grand Slam career.”, Nantz shared, he is also the person who imbued with the value of life, very bold golf.

“There have been a lot of emotions that burst at Green Hole 18”, Mcilroy said.“That moment made all years of waiting and almost touching destination. I want to send greetings to my parents, they are at home in Northern Ireland.”.

“They sacrificed a lot for you”, Nantz said. He is 65 years old, equivalent to the age of Mr. Gerry and Rosie.

Mrs. Rosie used to work in a shift in a 3M factory. While Mr. Gerry was preparing and managing the dressing room at a golf club, he cleaned or even scrubbing the toilet, doing everything to raise Mcilroy’s dream.

“They really did that”, Mcilroy replied.“And I was anxious to see them again next week. I want to celebrate this victory with them.”. 

Tiger Woods also grew up in a family of 3 people, humble but full of cohesion. Tiger’s father, Mr. Earl, used to play golf under 80 sticks during the peak. And Gerry McIlroy, for many years, is a golf player Scratch Golfer (who has Handicap 0), competing in fairly excellent tournaments throughout County Down. His swing is smooth, simple but effective.

But after Tiger turned 30 and got married in 2004, he rarely saw Mr. Earl appearing in the tournament. And Gerry Mcilroy is always outside the rope whenever his son has the opportunity to win. When Rory won at U.S. Open 2011 in Congressional – A heavy rainy day – Mr. Gerry is the embodiment of the joy of bursting.

In 2014, after winning The Open at Royal Liverpool, Mcilroy said:“This is the first Major my mother witnessed it directly. Mom, this victory for her”. Shortly thereafter, Rosie with a calm appearance gently placed a few fingers on the Claret Jug trophy while her son hugged him tightly.

Rory Mcilroy celebrates the victory of Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2024 with her parents

Mcilroy once said that his parents only met each other when they replaced the shift, all for the only child’s golf career. The trade -off to nurture a prodigy always has a price, both in money and affection. As a child, Rory asked her mother:“Why is my family not like other families?”.

Mom just replied:“My house is not like that, dear”.

Mr. Gerry has stopped responding to the press for a long time. Caddie and small friend of Rory Mcilroy, Harry Diamond, also kept silent. Mcilroy’s parents are different from Phil Mickelson’s parents. Although Mr. and Mrs. Mickelson were also humble, but still more people present, especially Mary’s mother, who always shines with energetic. Rory seemed to inherit both the personality of Mrs. Rosie and Mr. Gerry.

Whenever mentioning Augusta National, Northern Ireland golfers show special respect for the rounds he used to play with his father. To play at Augusta (even if you are the Masters champion), you still need a club member. And the father and son of the Mcilroy have a special friend, Jimmy Dunne, an Irish people, now the prestigious chairman of Seminole Golf Club. Dunne himself invited Mr. Gerry to join Seminole. Here, the father and son often paired up at the annual Pro-Member event, and between them there are always joys that can be shared. Mcilroy once said, one of the most meaningful events for his family was when Mr. Gerry decided to quit smoking.

PGA Championship next month will take place at Quail Hollow, where Rory won. U.S. Open this year held in Oakmont, is like Augusta “upgraded version”. And The Open will return to Royal Portrush, just from Holywood, Rory’s homeland, an hour of driving.

Mcilroy’s parents still have a TV at home. Whether present or not, they will definitely watch each son’s shot.