Rory McIlroy did it! He won the Masters!!!

I’ve been rooting for him since his first appearance at the Masters in 2009. I was at my grandma’s house, and my dad and grandpa were intensely watching while my cousin and I giggled and played PayDay.

When I was younger, I thought it was fun (and funny) to root against my dad. For example, he’s from Pittsburgh and therefore a Steelers fan—so obviously, I chose to root for the Green Bay Packers, despite having zero connection to them.

I don’t remember who my dad was rooting for that day, but the first time I heard “Rory McIlroy” on the TV, I decided to root for him. And I’ve been Team Rory ever since. I probably thought he was cute or something, but honestly, I chose him because his last name sounded like macaroni, and I thought that was awesome.

2009 just so happened to be his first appearance at the Masters. He was barely nineteen—very much a rookie and definitely the underdog. At the time, I didn’t really understand what that meant. I just thought it was cool that he was out there playing with all the old geezers. He ended up tying for 20th place. But at the Masters, if you’re not first, you’re last. I was sad for Rory.

Each year, as the Masters came and went, I’d be rooting for him—whether I watched or didn’t. I was too young to fully get it anyway.

Fast forward to 2025—my boy Rory did it!!!!! I’m so proud of him. He’s a lot older than I remember, but I guess I’ve been Team Rory for sixteen years now.

Never give up on the underdog.