Rory McIlroy’s daughter Poppy sinks mammoth putt at the Masters as heartwarming moment goes viral
Rory McIlroy was all smiles at Augusta National as his daughter Poppy stole the spotlight in spectacular fashion.
The four-year-old showed she might just have inherited her dad’s touch, thrilling spectators with a superb long-range putt on the ninth hole during the traditional Par-3 contest.
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The shot rolled smoothly across the green before dropping straight in, sparking cheers and a proud celebration from McIlroy and close friend and competitor Shane Lowry, who was by his side for the moment.
Currently World No.2, McIlroy is once again among the favourites heading into the tournament, as he chases a long-awaited Masters win - something that has eluded him for over a decade.
With wife Erica Stoll and young Poppy alongside him, the 34-year-old looked relaxed, energised, and visibly emotional as he surveyed the course on Wednesday.
Erica played caddie during the Par-3 event, which traditionally serves as a light-hearted curtain-raiser to the serious business of Masters week.
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The couple, who married in 2017, looked completely at ease together - months after they shocked fans with news of a potential split last year.
The pair had filed for divorce but quietly reconciled just weeks later.
Their reunion has since been marked by several public appearances, including Erica celebrating with Rory after his Players Championship victory last month.
The family’s tight bond at Augusta has offered McIlroy a timely boost as he prepares for yet another bid to complete golf’s career Grand Slam.
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The Masters remains the final piece missing from his collection, with four major titles to his name: the 2011 US Open, 2012 and 2014 PGA Championships, and the 2014 Open Championship.
Reflecting on his mindset heading into the weekend, McIlroy believes he's never been better prepared to take on Augusta.
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"I feel like I'm better equipped than I ever have been to challenge this golf course," he said.
"I've made a real conscious effort this year to really be diligent with my course management and sort of how I'm strategically trying to plot my way around the golf course.
"I've putted well this year, my around-the-green game has been really good.
“Every aspect of my game has been really, really solid. So I think putting all those things together this week is obviously the formula to getting the job done."
It’s a course that has haunted McIlroy in the past - not least in 2011, when he led heading into the final round before a disastrous back nine saw his hopes unravel.
Since then, he has consistently contended but never quite conquered Augusta’s slick greens and brutal demands.
Now, 14 years after making his Masters debut, McIlroy is hoping a touch of Poppy’s magic - along with the support of his wife Erica - might finally tip the scales in his favour.
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