The only son of Rosie and Gerry, Rory McIlroy has always had an uber-strong support system behind him. The couple, who respectively hail from Co Armagh and Co Down, have been unwavering in their fostering of a grá for golf in their beloved son and have always turned out on the sidelines for him.

Rory McIlroy flew to Belfast last Friday to celebrate his Masters victory with his parents.

Rory McIlroy admitted he was practically bed-bound after picking up an illness on his week-long Masters celebration. The five-time major winner, whose green jacket made him only the sixth golfer in history to complete the Career Grand Slam, is in Louisiana this week to team up with old pal Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic.