Rory McIlroy's Mom Carries Custom-Made Handbag with Hidden Significance at Masters

Rory McIlroy and his mom, Rosie, at the 2026 Masters.
Credit: Hector Vivas/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Rory McIlroy's mom, Rosie McDonald, cheered for her son on at the Masters Tournament on Sunday, April 12
• McDonald went viral for her stylish handbag, custom-made to honor her son
• The decorated golfer became only the fourth player in history to win back-to-back at the Masters, joining Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus

Rory McIlroy's mom, Rosie McDonald, wins the style game.

All eyes were on the star golfer, 36, as he became the fourth player in history to win back-to-back Masters Tournaments in Augusta, Ga., but the fashion-focused were dialed in on the McIlroy matriarch who was sitting greenside behind the 18th hole on Sunday, April 12.

Why? Because of her head-turning handbag, of course, which was custom-made and detailed with significance in tribute to her son as he set out to add another coveted Green Jacket to his growing collection.

Rosie McIlroy at the 2026 Masters.
Credit: Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty

On McDonald's purse was a print of last year's New York Times article that announced McIlroy's career grand slam after his first Masters win in 2025. It included photos of the golfer in all his glory and text from the publication's print story.

McDonald, who's married to Gerry McIlroy, was captured at the 2026 Masters smiling as she looked on at her son on the green. She paired her purse with a colorful floral top, white shorts and matching flats.

Upon winning, McIlroy — who boasts six major championships (2011 U.S. Open, 2012 and 2014 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship, 2025 and 2026 Masters) — credited his parents for their impact on his game and his life.

Rory McIlroy poses with the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony alongside his family.
Credit: Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty

"Mom and dad, I owe everything to you," he said while addressing the crowd.

He added, as he briefly paused to wipe away tears: "You're the most wonderful parents, and if I could be half the parent as you were to me, then I know I've done a good job, thank you."

When the Northern Irish golfer won last year's tournament to finally secure the elusive Grand Slam, his parents were not in attendance, according to ESPN.

This year, the decorated golfer admitted that he had mixed feelings about having them there in person as he aimed to defend his title.

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Rory McIlroy victorious with the Masters Trophy wearing the Green Jacket following the Final Round at Augusta National.
Credit: Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty

"Incredible," he said of having his parents there, while talking with Jim Nantz of CBS afterwards. "It was the second major win she's been at... She was at the Open in 2014."

"There's a part of me that didn't want them to come this year, because I thought if they didn't come last year, maybe that was the reason," he continued. "But I'm so glad they got to experience this today. We're gonna have a great time tonight."

With his latest victory, McIlroy became only the fourth in history to win back-to-back at the Masters, joining the company of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.

On Sunday, as he made things interesting by hitting into the bunker on 18, McIlroy acknowledged that winning his fifth major was not easy — but that he was buoyed by the presence of his friends and family.

"I caught myself on the golf course a couple of times thinking about them, and I was like, 'No, not yet, not yet,' " he said at the time.

Read the original article on People