Video Loading
Video Unavailable
Rory McIlroy is back to Northern Ireland following his triumphant Masters win after he 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.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill has already said Northern Ireland should have a “huge party” to welcome the golfing champion home.
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.”
Follow our live blog below for updates.
12:49KEY EVENT
Rory's return - in photos
See our full photo gallery here.
12:42Lauren Harte
Welcome home Rory!
Welcome home Rory! https://t.co/camBcfazKm pic.twitter.com/mSDMKhGXUL
— Belfast Live (@BelfastLive) April 18, 202512:19KEY EVENT
He's here!
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 and Rory was seen disembarking moments later carrying his daughter Poppy. He was then taken to a private part of the airport before being driven away.
12:05Lauren Harte
Fans eager for Rory's return
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.”
12:01Lauren Harte
Rory touches down in Belfast?
11:58Lauren Harte
'Huge party' plan
First Minister Michelle O’Neill has already said Northern Ireland should have a “huge party” to welcome the golfing champion home
Ms O’Neill said people are “bursting with pride” at McIlroy’s achievement in winning the Masters, which should be celebrated “in the best possible style”.
She added: “We all were behind him every step of the way.
“I think his story is one of such a positive journey that, no matter how many setbacks you have in life, if you work hard and are determined, you can get there in the end.
“I look forward to welcoming Rory home. I hope that we have the biggest reception possible because we are bursting with pride in terms of what he has achieved over the weekend.”
11:55Lauren Harte
Plane spotters in a frenzy
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.
11:53Lauren Harte
A victorious return
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.
11:52Lauren Harte
Is Rory here?
Speculation is rife that Rory McIlroy is back to Northern Ireland following his triumphant Masters win after his private jet was spotted touching down in Belfast.
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 morning.
11:52Lauren Harte
Good morning
Thanks for joining us. We'll have the latest here.
English (United States) ·