Rory McIlroy has arrived back in Northern Ireland following his Masters triumph at Augusta.
McIlroy travelled home on a $70million private jet and was seen carrying his daughter Poppy after touching down at George Best Belfast City Airport on Friday.
His wife Erica Stoll did not appear to be with them as McIlroy walked down the steps of the private jet.
The 35-year-old completed the career Grand Slam on Sunday after triumphing at the Masters in dramatic fashion.
After a year of turmoil off the grass, the 35-year-old beat Justin Rose in a playoff to claim the green jacket and $4.2million/£3.17m in prize money.
The victory saw McIlroy become just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam.
Rory McIlroy has arrived back in Northern Ireland following his Masters triumph at Augusta
McIlroy was cheered on by wife Erica Stoll, right, and their daughter Poppy at the Masters
McIlroy ended his 11-year major drought by winning the Masters to complete the Grand Slam
McIlroy, who was cheered on by Stoll and Poppy at Augusta, had revealed his plans to travel back to Northern Ireland following the victory.
Speaking after receiving his green jacket, McIlroy said he would celebrated with his parents Gerry and Rosie, who had not travelled to the tournament.
‘I want to say hello to mum and dad back in Northern Ireland,’ McIlroy said.
‘They did [make a lot of sacrifices for me], and I can’t wait to see them next week
‘I just can’t wait to celebrate this with them.’
Belfast Live reported McIlroy’s private jet, a Gulfstream G650, touched down at 11.30am on Friday.
The star was seen carrying four-year-old Poppy, before being taken to a private part of the airport and being driven away.
The airport is located close to McIlroy’s family home in Holywood.
McIlroy, pictured with his mum Rosie and father Gerry in 2024, is expected to visit his parents after they did not travel to the Masters
McIlroy’s Masters success has been celebrated by his hometown of Holywood
A homecoming event has been touted by Holywood Golf Club, where he began playing
Members of Holywood Golf Club were delighted with his Masters victory on Sunday
McIlroy had begun playing the sport at the age of seven at the Holywood Golf Club.
The club have reportedly been planning a homecoming event, but fears were raised McIlroy may be too busy or not want the ‘fanfare’ of a grand party.
‘We understand plans are already underway for a homecoming event organised by Holywood Golf Club. Ards and North Down Borough Council will be offering assistance to the club as needed to support this celebration,’ a spokesperson told The Irish News earlier this week.
Tom Widley, general manager of Holywood Golf Club, said: ‘I’m sure we will do something as a club to celebrate the win, we will definitely have some sort of party.
‘But whether we will have a homecoming will depend on Rory.
‘Certainly earlier in his career we would’ve, but now that he is based in the US, we will have to wait and see if he is available when he contacts us.
‘I don’t know if Rory would want any fanfare. When he comes here he very much just acts like any ordinary member of the club.’
Hundreds of fans had previously greeted McIlroy for a homecoming event in 2011 after he won the US Open.
The Northern Irishman sealed victory at Augusta National, completing the career Grand Slam
After defeating Justin Rose in a dramatic playoff, he rushed to his family at the 18th
McIlroy, who overcame Justin Rose in a playoff, poses alongside his family on Sunday
First Minister Michelle O’Neill wants a similar ‘huge party’ to mark McIlroy’s achievement.
She said: ‘I think we have to have the biggest party possible.
‘I think we are so proud of what he has achieved, he speaks so loudly to all young people out there that if you have a dream that you can achieve it.
‘If you look at Rory’s journey over many, many years, all the setbacks and he kept going back at it and back at it.
‘So, yes, we should have a huge party. I certainly will raise that with the sports minister (Gordon Lyons).’
Despite plans for a major celebration, Belfast Live reported McIlroy’s return to Northern Ireland is expected to be a ‘brief private visit’.
