Rory McIlroy is back on Northern Ireland soil following his triumphant Masters win. The champion golfer was spotted touching down in Belfast in his private jet on Friday morning.
In the past, McIlroy has flown into Belfast City Airport, which is located just minutes from his family home in Holywood in his private jet, a Gulfstream G650 plane from 2022 and registered under the US flag.
It was seen landing at the airport just after 11.30am on Friday having left Farnborough Airport outside London at around 10.45am. Rory was spotted disembarking moments later carrying his daughter Poppy and then clutching a large cream bag and a backpack.
He was then taken to a private part of the airport before being driven away.
It comes just days after the celebrated golfer ended an 11-year wait to win the one major title that had eluded him when he beat Justin Rose in a play-off at The Masters.
The Co Down man defeated Rose in a play-off at Augusta National on Sunday to win the 89th Masters and become the sixth man to win all four of golf’s majors.
McIlroy’s sent plane spotters into a frenzy over his potential homecoming earlier this week after his private jet touched down on this side of the Atlantic. It took off from Palm Beach International airport shortly after 8pm local time on Tuesday before it crossed the Atlantic and landed at Farnborough Airport in Surrey at 08:23 on Wednesday morning.
Fans at home in Northern Ireland are eagerly awaiting news of his return to celebrate his momentous win. The Holywood native expressed his wish to return home after his victory.
McIlroy said it was a “dream come true” after he became the first European golfer to win the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open and Open Championship. The achievement cemented his position amongst the best golfers of all time.
He said: "I want to say hello to my mum and dad,” he said at the green jacket ceremony. “They're back home in Northern Ireland.”
Choking back tears, he added: “They did (make a lot of sacrifices for me), and I can't wait to see them next week. I just can't wait to celebrate this with them.”
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