Rory McIlroy touches down in Northern Ireland with daughter Poppy after Masters win

Footage has emerged online of Rory McIlroy's private jet touching down at Belfast City Airport this morning.

McIlroy, 35, decided to pull out of this week's $20m RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour in order to head home and spend some time with his mum Rosie and dad Gerry, who were both unable to be with him at Augusta National as he completed the career grand slam at The Masters on Sunday.

McIlroy's private jet, a Gulfstream G650ER (commonly known as a G6), departed Farnborough Airport outside London at 10.45am today. 

The World No.2 then landed at Belfast City Airport in Northern Ireland an hour later.

According to Belfast Telegraph, McIlroy was seen walking off his private jet holding his four-year-old daughter Poppy.

He was greeted with an umbrella in the drizzly morning rain as he disembarked carrying a couple of bags.

McIlroy's set of TaylorMade clubs were also seen coming off the jet, which would indicate he is heading out for some Easter golf with dad Gerry this weekend. 

It remains to be seen whether the famous green jacket also made the journey. 

Both Rory and Poppy were then driven off by a waiting car at the airport. 

Photos were taken of McIlroy touching down in Belfast by double UK regional & NI News photographer of the year, Kevin Scott. 

Scroll down for images and a video... 

Rory McIlroy heads home to Northern Ireland to see his parents after emotional Masters victory

McIlroy was visibly emotional when speaking about his parents, Rosie and Gerry, during his victory interview in the famous Butler Cabin at Augusta National on Sunday night.

After defeating Justin Rose with a birdie on the first extra hole at the 2025 Masters, the Ulsterman became just the sixth male in history to complete the career grand slam.

McIlroy now joins Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win The Masters, US PGA, US Open and The Open.

He spoke about how much work and effort his mum and dad put in when he was a youngster by working multiple jobs in order for their only child to fulfil his dream as a Tour pro.

"I want to say hello to my mum and dad, they're back at home in Northern Ireland," said an emotional McIlroy in the Butler Cabin.

"I can't wait to see them next week and celebrate this with them."

McIlroy was joined by Poppy and his wife Erica during his victory celebrations on the 18th green on Sunday night. 

The 29-time PGA Tour winner also spoke about how much he owes to his wife and daughter for helping him achieve his dream. 

"They’ve been with on this journey with me the whole way through," McIlroy said of wife Erica and daughter Poppy.

"They know the burden I’ve had to come here every year to try and try again. 

"One thing I’d say to my daughter Poppy is never give up on your dreams. Never, ever give up on your dreams. Keep coming back, keep working hard and if you put your mind to it, you can do anything."

WATCH: POPPY DRAINS MONSTER PUTT DURING 2025 MASTERS PAR-3 CONTEST

McIlroy reportedly left Palm Beach International Airport in Florida, United States, at 8pm local time on Tuesday. 

He then landed in Farnborough, England, on Wednesday morning.  

McIlroy then set off to Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Friday morning. 

The five-time major champion will now be spending some time with his parents as he celebrates his biggest golf achievement.

McIlroy chose not to compete in this week's $20m RBC Heritage, the fifth Signature Event of the 2025 PGA Tour season.

He has typically never fancied the event much though, but did play in it last season (T33) when it was turned into a Signature Event. 

Players are able to pull out of Signature Events providing they have valid reasons to do so, and winning The Masters and spending time with family was likely a good enough reason for PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. 

McIlroy is scheduled to compete in next week's team Zurich Classic of New Orleans event alongside his good pal Shane Lowry.

Lowry and McIlroy will be defending their title at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, a suburb southwest of New Orleans. 

They played in the tournament together for the first ever time in 2024.

After winning the event in a playoff over Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer, both McIlroy and Lowry headed for some on-stage karaoke in front of tournament officials and fans. 

McIlroy will be looking for another positive showing at the Zurich Classic as he ramps up his preparations for the second major of the season at the US PGA from 15-18 May. 

He will fancy his chances of a going close to a third US PGA title and picking up back to back majors in 2025 given he has won four times in the past at the venue, Quail Hollow Club.

McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship, now known as the Truist Championship, at Quail Hollow Club in 2010 (that was his first PGA Tour title), 2015, 2021 and 2024. 

No player has ever won The Masters, US PGA, US Open and The Open in the same season. 

Woods last achieved all four majors in a row, known as the Tiger Slam, but it did not fall in the same calendar year. 

He achieved that at the 2001 Masters. 

The bookies have priced McIlroy up at a rather poor 33/1 for a clean sweep of four majors. 

McIlroy has also been installed as a red-hot 8/15 favourite to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December.

He will possibly face stiff opposition from the likes of darts sensation Luke Littler and F1 star Lando Norris. 

Only two golfers have ever won BBC SPOTY.

GolfMagic took a deeper dive into why McIlroy is already deserving of the coveted prize, even if the BBC clearly hates our sport these days...

READ WHY RORY MUST WIN BBC SPOTY