Masters: McIlroy and the weight of expectations

As if the expectations of the outside world weren't enough, Rory McIlroy can now feel the pressure ramping up at home as well.

- Joy Chakravarty

Poppy, his four-year-old daughter, is slowly realising daddy is a famous man and wins golf tournaments for a lark.

"Especially after The Players, it was the first time she sort of realised what I did, which was really cool, but also a little scary at the same time," said the four-time major champion, who is once again trying to secure a career slam by winning the Masters title this week.

"The day after, she went into school and a couple of kids said some stuff to her, and she came home and asked: 'Daddy, are you famous?'

"I said it depends on whom you talk to. It's a bit of a double-edged sword. You have to temper the expectations sometimes."

Expectation is something that McIlroy is used to. Every year since his famous meltdown on the Sunday back nine as a 21-year-old, his chances of winning the major title on a golf course that seems tailor-made for his playing style, have been the biggest talking point of the Masters.

It's the same old story again this year...probably a few notches higher. McIlroy has made a fantastic start to 2025, winning twice on the PGA Tour, including The Players, and was tied-fifth in the Houston Open the week before.