A lot of attention has been focused on Rory McIlroy at the 2025 Masters as he makes another attempt to win his first green jacket. But another McIlroy, Rory’s young daughter Poppy, stole the spotlight on Wednesday with an incredible putt during the Masters Par 3 Contest.
Kids take spotlight at Masters Par 3 Contest
Every Wednesday of Masters week, players participate in the Masters Par 3 Contest at Augusta National’s Par 3 Course. But the pros aren’t the stars of the fun exhibition.
Instead their children, wives and family members take center stage. The kids get dressed up in classic white Masters caddie suits, and tag along with their dads as they play the course.
Because the competition is mostly for fun, pros also sometimes let their family members, and even young kids, hit some shots during the event.
Poppy McIlroy’s Masters moment
This year, Rory brought his four-year-old daughter, Poppy, along for the fun. And Poppy didn’t waste her moment in the spotlight. Instead, the toddler provided a highlight her dad will struggle to top for the rest of Masters week.
At the 9th hole of the Par 3 Course, McIlroy’s tee shot found an elevated part of the green, leaving his ball a good 25 feet or more from the hole, with only a steep downslope between his ball and the cup.
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Instead of taking on the challenging putt himself, Rory decided to let Poppy have a go. Poppy didn’t seem overcome with the pressure. Cradling her dad’s putter awkwardly in her arms, she delicately tapped the ball for the extremely slick putt.
At first it seemed like the ball would come to a stop on a ridge well short of the hole. But then it crested the high point and started rolling directly toward the cup. McIlroy’s playing partners Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood took note and prepared for the celebration.
The rest is history. Watch the moment below.
Once Poppy’s putt dropped, it sent the patrons gathered around the green — along with Lowry and Fleetwood — into hysterics. Lowry and Fleetwood’s young daughters ran up to Poppy to congratulate her.
But all the attention finally seemed to get to her, so she found shelter in Rory’s arms.
