'I owe everything to you' - Rory McIlroy's heartfelt message to parents after Masters defence

Mum Rosie and dad Gerry hadn’t been at Augusta National last year when McIlroy finally claimed his much-coveted Green Jacket, becoming just the sixth player to complete a career grand slam.

Fearing they might jinx his title defence, they had considered being absent again for the 90th edition but, to the delight of McIlroy, did make the journey to Georgia.

And, along with his wife Erica and daughter Poppy, they were waiting for him at the back of the 18th green after he joined Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo as the only players to win this event in successive years.

Referring to his mum and dad, McIlroy, speaking at the Presentation Ceremony, said: “I owe everything to you. You are the most wonderful parents and, if I can be half the parent to Poppy, I’ve done a good job.”

McIlroy also spoke about Rosie and Gerry when he faced the media in the Press Building, revealing that it hadn’t been a foregone conclusion that they would have been there this time.

“I caught myself on the golf course a couple of times thinking about them, and I was like ‘no, not yet, not yet’,” he admitted, smiling. “Yeah, 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.

“I said on the putting green that I'm glad we proved that wrong, so they can keep coming as long as they want. Yeah, it's amazing to have them here. I'm excited to celebrate with them tonight.”

After opening with rounds of 67-65, McIlroy held a record six-shot lead at the halfway stage before opening the door for the chasing pack by carding a third-round 73.

He shared the lead heading out on the final day them found himself two shots behind Justin Rose at one point before getting his nose in front again after picking up four birdies around the turn.

Despite a scare at the last following a wayward drive, he won by a shot from two-time winner and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, with Rose and Cameron Young among four players a shot further back.

“Yeah, I don't make it easy,” admitted McIlroy after moving level with Nick Faldo with six majors. “I used to make it easy back in my early 20s when I was winning these things by eight shots.

“No, it's hard to win golf tournaments. Yeah, especially around here. You've had maybe a couple of runaway winners over the years, but it always seems to be a very tight finish at this golf course. I think it's the nature of the golf course, it's the nature of what's at stake.”