The Holywood’s golfers parents weren’t present in Augusta and instead watched at home in County Down where their nerves were jangling during McIlroy’s roller-coaster final round. And after sealing the Green Jacket and with it a career Grand Slam, McIlroy made an emotional phone call home. “Mum couldn’t stop crying and I couldn’t stop crying alongside her,” he told Sky Sports. “Dad said it was the first time ever that he watched me play golf on TV and had to pour himself a drink so he was going through the emotions as much as everybody else!” When asked what he might one day tell his daughter Poppy if she asked why winning the Masters meant so much, McIlroy replied: “I think it’s a story of perseverance.” “There were a lot of years I came here and wasn’t able to achieve what I wanted,” he continued. “But I never let that discourage me or get me down. I kept coming back. I kept giving it another go. That’s the story I would tell her — and that’s why it means so much to so many people.” Then, McIlroy shared a personal anecdote that offered a glimpse into what the moment meant to his four-year old daughter. “They have a daycare here,” he said. “She came back on Friday wearing a T-shirt with all the past Masters champions listed on the back. She looked at it and asked me, ‘Daddy, why isn’t your name on this T-shirt?’” Hours later, after defeating Justin Rose on the first playoff hole, McIlroy embraced his family just off the 18th green. Lifting his daughter in his arms, he shared the good news. “I said to her, ‘Poppy, next year, my name’s going to be on the back of that T-shirt.’”