Meet Rory McIlroy's inner circle - Harry Diamond, 'the Mac Pack', Erica Stoll

The revered has further cemented his place among golf's legends by securing the elusive title and completing a career Grand Slam. The 35-year-old has been passionately pursuing the coveted green jacket since he first set foot on greens, and, having bagged all other major titles by 2014, was the final piece of the puzzle.

McIlroy's preparation for was flawless, and after a slow start, he quickly picked up pace. He started Sunday with a significant solo lead. Despite through the front and back nines - even relinquishing his advantage and requiring a sudden-death playoff to outdo fellow European star - a superb wedge that resulted in a three-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole secured his long-awaited destiny and the crowning achievement of an already illustrious career. The Northern Irishman's extraordinary victory , and many have journeyed with him along the way. Express Sport delves into McIlroy's tight-knit inner circle, which includes his wife, devoted parents, faithful caddie, supportive psychologist, and a constant group of friends known as the 'Mac Pack.'

Erica Stoll

One of the first people McIlroy rushed to embrace after his emotional eruption on the 18th green was his wife, Erica Stoll, whom he married in 2017. McIlroy and his wife have faced a tumultuous year, with the bombshell news in May 2024 that McIlroy had filed for divorce. However, the couple quickly reconciled, calling off the divorce just a month later.

Since then, the pair, who met at the 2012 Ryder Cup, have presented a united front with their daughter Poppy. The 35-year-old golfer highlighted the significance of his family as he revelled in his Masters victory.

"Last but not least, over to my left, my family, my team," McIlroy said, visibly moved during his green jacket acceptance speech. "They've been on this journey with me the whole way through. They know the burden that I've carried to come here every year and try and try and try again. The one thing I would say to my daughter Poppy, never give up on your dreams. Never ever give up on your dreams. Keep coming back. Keep working hard."

Harry Diamond

While McIlroy's wife, Stoll, and daughter, Poppy, were embraced immediately after his Grand Slam triumph, it was his best man and childhood friend, Harry Diamond, who received the first hug. Diamond, who has been McIlroy's caddie since a winless 2017, has shared in 15 PGA Tour victories with McIlroy.

Despite their success, there have been persistent calls for McIlroy to consider a more experienced caddie in pursuit of major titles. Specifically, a mistake made when choosing a 7-iron at the par-three 15 during the 2024 US Open led to many questioning Diamond, who didn't intervene to suggest an alternative.

However, this campaign had been more than exceptional, and now the pair have finally secured a major title as a team, effectively silencing any detractors.

The 'Mac Pack'

Diamond is part of a group known as the 'Mac Pack', which consists of childhood friends from Holywood, including McIlroy, who now sports a green jacket. These friends, originating from the Belfast suburb, are often seen supporting the golfing titan, with Diamond and his younger brother Dan being part of this group.

The rest of the group includes golf coach Ricky McCormick, agent Mitchell Tweedie, and Steven Davidson, many of whom are members of Holywood Golf Club.

Some of these close-knit friends are also believed to have attended Sullivan Upper School in Holywood with McIlroy and have remained loyal to their five-time major-winning friend ever since.

Gerry and Rosie McIlroy

Another significant influence on McIlroy's upbringing that shaped him into the first modern European Grand Slam winner - and the first from his homeland to win the Masters - are his parents, Gerry and Rosie.

It was Rory McIlroy's father, a keen golfer himself, who introduced him to the game that he now commands at a professional level. Although his parents weren't present to witness his latest victory, they were very much in his thoughts during his post-win interview.

"It feels incredible. This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time," McIlroy warmly stated. "I want to say hello to my mum and dad, they're back in Northern Ireland, and I can't wait to celebrate this next week with them."

Bob Rotella

Sports psychologist Bob Rotella seems to have been a key influence on McIlroy's resolve to overcome past tournament heartaches - which includes an agonising 11-year drought for a fifth major title and memories of a meltdown at Augusta National in 2011.

In the lead-up to this year's event, where McIlroy finally clinched the coveted Masters prize, he sought Rotella's expertise to temper the mental strain. Paul McGinley, the fabled Ryder Cup figure, prior to the tournament, expressed confidence in the psychologist's impact on the golfer: "I think he [Rotella] will have him very well prepared now. They've had two or three runs at this now, and I think they will be coming up with a plan in terms of taking that pressure and decimating it and putting it aside."

This belief proved to be accurate, as the Northern Irish star demonstrated remarkable resilience, bouncing back from numerous setbacks. After a botched four-foot title-winning putt on the 18th hole, he returned to the same hole during the playoff and birdied it, securing the victory and his place in golfing history.