Rory McIlroy pays emotional tribute to mum Rosie after 26th (!) PGA Tour win

World number two Rory McIlroy paid an emotional tribute to his mum Rosie after he claimed his 26th PGA Tour title on Mother's Day at the Wells Fargo Championship. 

McIlroy, 35, began the final round of the signature PGA Tour event at Quail Hollow Club trailing Xander Schauffele by one stroke. 

At one point, the Northern Irishman was two shots behind the American but by the time the final group got to the 14th tee box McIlroy led by five. 

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That lead increased to seven strokes after a the Ulsterman managed a stunning, hole-out eagle from the sand at the par-5 15th. 

In the end, McIlroy reached a 72-hole total of 17-under par, five clear of Schauffele.

The four-time major champion found the water at the final hole and tapped in for a double bogey six but it did not matter one bit. 

McIlroy could be forgiven the lapse in concentration after he was serenaded with chants of 'Rory' as he strode up the fairway. 

The win means McIlroy has now won at Quail Hollow a remarkable four times. 

He was victorious here in 2010, 2015 and 2021. 

In the immediate aftermath of victory, McIlroy said he feels as though the 'stars are aligning' as he heads to Valhalla Golf Club for the second men's major of the year. 

But the most important message was for his mother Rosie. 

McIlroy said most people are familiar with his father Gerry but it's really his mother that holds the family together. 

"My mum's amazing," he said.  

"I think most people know my dad, but my mom, Rosie, is like the sort of rock or the gel that holds our family together, she always has been. 

"I said this last night, I'm probably a lot more like my dad than I am my mum, but I wish I was a little more like my mum at times. 

"If you're watching, mum, happy Mother's Day, can't wait to see you tomorrow, and yeah, I'm excited to get home and see them."

McIlroy's last major victory came at Valhalla in 2014. 

If he is to be victorious and claim his fifth major championship, then he will need to defeat the likes of world number one Scottie Scheffler and reigning champion Brooks Koepka. 

Scheffler, per Sports Illustrated, is now a father and will tee it up after his appearance was in doubt. 

McIlroy said he found huge confidence by claiming victory at the PGA Tour's pairs event he won with Shane Lowry. 

He added: "Coming into this week at a golf course that I'm comfortable at, my golf swing feels a lot more comfortable than it has. 

"So going to a venue next week where I've won, it feels like the stars are a lining a little bit. 

"But I've got a lot of golf to play and a lot of great players to try to beat next week. 

"Going into the next major of the year feeling really good about myself."

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