Rory McIlroy’s mum Rosie missed her son’s first Masters win but was at Augusta for his second triumph

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Rory McIlroy celebrated with his family after retaining his Masters crown(Image: Hector Vivas, Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy’s mum carried a special handbag to Augusta National on Sunday as she watched her son claim victory once more at the Masters. Rosie McIlroy was absent from the Major last year when Rory landed the coveted Green Jacket for the first time, and there were emotional scenes as the Holywood man embraced his parents following another triumph as he secured back-to-back wins at the tournament.

Even though she wasn’t present to watch up close, that maiden Masters victory remains a moment incredibly close to Rosie’s heart. This was clear from the fact that she brought along a special handbag to this year’s final round which served as a reminder of that occasion.

The bag features newspaper clippings and photographs from Rory’s first Masters win. An image of the bag has gone viral on social media, with many loving what they saw as a touching gesture from a mum supporting her son.

After his Augusta National victory on April 12, Rory paid tribute to his parents, Rosie and Gerry, saying: “Mum and dad, I owe everything…” Fighting back tears, he added: “You’re the most wonderful parents, and if I’m half the parent to Poppy that you were to me, I’ll do a good job.

“I caught myself on the golf course a couple of times thinking about them, and I was like ‘No, not yet, not yet’,” he said. “It’s really cool to have them here. They missed it last year and the first thing I wanted to do was fly home to see them because I obviously wouldn’t be sitting up here if it wasn’t for them.

“I had to sort of convince them to come this year because they thought the reason I won last year was because they weren’t here. When the ball trickled by and I marked it there from two inches or whatever (at the last) I just looked at the back of the green because I saw my mum and dad and (wife) Erica and (daughter) Poppy and I was just like ‘I can’t believe I’ve just done it again’.

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The handbag Rosie McIlroy brought to support her son on the final day of The Masters(Image: AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“Not as emotional, but just, wow, it’s amazing. I can’t believe I did it again. I said on the putting green that I’m glad we proved that wrong, so they can keep coming as long as they want. It’s amazing to have them here. I’m excited to celebrate with them tonight.”

McIlroy endured a decade-long wait between his fourth and fifth major titles – finally completing a career grand slam 12 months ago. After adding number six just one year later, though, the 36-year-old’s hunger for silverware remains undiminished.

“It took me 10 years to win my fifth major, and then my sixth one’s come pretty soon after it,” he said. “I’m not putting a number on it, but I certainly don’t want to stop here.”