Rory McIlory celebrated a big win with kisses for his two favorite girls.
The pro golfer secured the 28th PGA Tour title of his career when he won the Players Championship on Monday, March 17, according to the organization. In a celebratory video posted by the PGA Tour on X, McIlory was seen kissing his wife, Erica Stoll, and their daughter, Poppy.
“Nice flower,” the Northern Irishman, 35, told his daughter, looking at the red flower in her hand.
“It’s for you,” said Poppy while in her dad’s arms.
The sweet family embrace comes less than a year after McIlory filed for divorce from Stoll. The couple ultimately reconciled a month later and called off their divorce.
At the tournament, it was all about celebrating as a family.
“I’ve been asked to describe this week in one word, and I would say ‘battle,’ ” McIlory said after his win, according to a post by PGA Tour on X. “It was a battle most of the way. Conditions, you know, even going into Monday with JJ [Spaun], battling the golf course, battling my emotions.”
McIlory earned the Players title, the second of his career, after a three-shot win against Spaun, an American, during the March 17 playoff, according to CNN.
He concluded, “So, this was a battle, but a battle I was thankful to come out on top in.”
The victory comes after a difficult year for McIlory and his family.
The lauded athlete filed for divorce in May 2024, after seven years of marriage. The following month, McIlroy’s attorney filed a notice of voluntary dismissal on behalf of the golfer in Palm Beach County Court.
After winning his third DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in November 2024, the professional golfer thanked his wife and Poppy, who was born in 2020, for sticking by him.
“Their support means the world to me,” McIlroy told reporters, per CNN. “To be able to show Poppy what happened today and maybe some of the reasons why I’m not around all of the time … it’s incredible that they were here with me this week and I’m excited to go celebrate with them.”
He continued, “It’s been quite the year, but I’m super happy with where I am in my career and in my life, and I feel like everything’s worked out the way it was supposed to.”
The Players title is another accomplishment to add to McIllory’s impressive list of accolades. He previously won the 2011 U.S. Open, 2012 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship and 2014 PGA Championship.
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For his latest win, McIllory credited the luck of the Irish.
“I was lucky to do enough to get it done, but unbelievably proud and happy to win my second Players Championship,” said McIlory, according to NBC Sports. “I think this is the third time I’ve won on St. Patrick’s Day, so it’s been a good luck charm for me.”
“I’ve worked really hard. I feel like I’m a way more complete player than I was a few years ago, even in conditions like this …” he continued, per the outlet, noting the challenging winds. “I feel like I can play in all conditions and anything that comes my way.”
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