Rory McIlroy's daughter wrote tear-jerking message on ball marker he used at Masters

There were very few dry eyes in the house when ended his wait for a green jacket at last month's Masters. The 35-year-old certainly did it the hard way though, missing a four-footer for the title in regulation play before eventually wrapping things up in a playoff against Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose.

But away from McIlroy's emotional outburst on the 18th green when he sank the birdie putt to write his name in the history books forever, perhaps the most wholesome moments of his Masters win came alongside daughter Poppy. The four-year-old captured the hearts and minds of the golfing world when she herself found the hole with .

The golfing ace had a minute with his loved ones before the playoff against Rose, with more heartwarming scenes coming after he'd secured the win. However, days after the Augusta triumph, McIlroy revealed Poppy wrote him a tear-jerking message on a ball marker used by the Irishman in the Masters.

The seemingly homemade marker features an embossed Manchester United badge with McIlroy's initials in the centre on one side, with the reverse reading: "You already know how to play golf - Poppy." Words that were no doubt ringing through his head as he dropped the ball into the hole on the 18th last month.

McIlroy was quick to reference his daughter during the post-win debrief, saying: "The only thing I would say to my daughter Poppy that's sitting over there - never give up on your dreams. Never ever give up on your dreams. Keep coming back, keep working hard and if you put your mind to it, you can do anything. I love you."

McIlroy has limited his appearances on the golf course following his Masters win, only making his return to action last weekend for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Entering the doubles tournament with playing partner Shane Lowry as reigning champions, the duo finished the T12 after four rounds of golf.

Opting out of this week's CJ Cup Byron Nelson, McIlroy explained his managed return to action by saying: "I've got to just take a little bit of time here. It's nice to have a week off, and reset and try to get some practice in. I feel like it's like two practice weeks coming up in a way, with next week at home and then Truist, as well, in some ways. Yeah, I'm looking forward to a couple of days off and then sort of kicking the feet up and trying to recharge the batteries a little bit."

The Masters champion is expected to feature at the Truist Championship next week.