Not only has Rory McIlroy achieved the rare distinction of a career Grand Slam after winning the Masters on Sunday - he appears to have united Northern Ireland's political leaders as they all offered their congratulations to the Co Down native.
After winning the Masters on Sunday - the Holywood native's first major victory since 2014 - McIlroy expressed how excited he was to head home soon to celebrate with his parents.
"I want to say hello to my mum and dad, they're back home in Northern Ireland," McIlroy said after claiming victory.
Fighting back tears, he agreed that his parents made a lot of sacrifices that helped him get to this point.
"I can't wait to see them next week," he said on Sunday. "Just can't wait to celebrate this with them."
It appears now the whole of Northern Ireland could be getting in on the celebrations.
Dreams do come true. pic.twitter.com/6WiHrVIjNl
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) April 14, 2025
"I certainly look forward to welcoming Rory home," Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said in Belfast on Monday morning.
O'Neill, flanked by Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD and John Finucane MP, was speaking at Erskine House following a meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn.
"I hope that we have the biggest reception possible because we are bursting with pride in terms of what he has achieved over the weekend," she added.
According to the PA, O'Neill further told reporters in Belfast that she thinks Northern Ireland should "have the biggest party possible," adding: "I think that we have to celebrate something that is very positive and he will always be a huge role model for all the young people out there.”
O'Neill said she would raise the matter with DUP MLA Gordon Lyons, the Minister for Communities in the region.
🏆⛳️ Massive congratulations to Rory McIlroy on his incredible victory at The Masters—making history as the first ever from our island to win the prestigious Green Jacket!
A phenomenal achievement that completes a career Grand Slam, placing him amongst the greatest ever golf… pic.twitter.com/EfkdK0wHkf
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) April 13, 2025
Lyons is apparently on board, with the PA reporting that he said on Monday: “I look forward to formally marking Rory’s success in the coming weeks.”
🏆 Huge congratulations to @McIlroyRory on an incredible win @TheMasters in Augusta!
A truly inspiring achievement that will motivate the next generation of golfers around the world. ⛳️👏 pic.twitter.com/t9t2gFNeCU
— Communities NI (@CommunitiesNI) April 14, 2025
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Lyons' DUP colleague Edwin Poots MLA, who is Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, also congratulated McIlroy on his victory in a statement on Monday.
"Rory McIlroy is a tremendous role model and his emotional reaction to his victory, his humility and his focus on his family underlined that further," Poots said.
"It is important that the Assembly recognises the best of Northern Ireland. I have no doubt that Members will be seeking to use the appropriate procedural mechanisms to mark Rory’s achievement on the floor of the Assembly and the next sitting and I look forward to facilitating that.
"Rory McIlroy is one of the finest ambassadors we have ever had and we all look forward to following many more victories in the time ahead.”
Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots MLA has congratulated @McIlroyRory on his victory at @TheMasters to clinch the Grand Slam. pic.twitter.com/pqQyC3IHM0
— Northern Ireland Assembly (@niassembly) April 14, 2025
Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party, said in a separate statement that McIlroy has "written himself into the sporting history books.
"This is an achievement of which he, of course, will be personally, deeply proud and, because he has never forgotten his Holywood roots, it is something the people of Northern Ireland will feel they can celebrate along with him.
“Given that only a handful of golfers in the world have ever achieved this feat, attention will now turn to how the success will be marked.
"There is an onus on Stormont to ensure that there is a suitable homecoming celebration for Rory and that his sporting success is capitalised on in such a way so as to inspire local young people to emulate his success.”
Elsewhere, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt has called for McIlroy to be knighted: “This universally popular figure deserves the highest praise the nation can bestow, and a knighthood is just that.”
Our greatest! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/AvrxTofpbR
— Mike Nesbitt (@mikenesbittni) April 13, 2025
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