An emotional Rory McIlroy shared that he was “a little kid with a dream” after becoming the first person since Tiger Woods 24 years ago to win The Masters back-to-back in an epic final round.

Speaking in the iconic Butler Cabin after Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley presented him with his green jacket, McIlroy was in disbelief after holding off world No.1 Scottie Scheffler by one shot to win his sixth major title.

The only place to watch the Masters Live & Exclusive is Fox Sports. Available on Kayo. | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

“I can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one Green Jacket, and now I get two in a row,” McIlroy said.

“I think all of my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off.

“It was a tough weekend. I did the bulk of my work on Thursday and Friday, but I’m just so happy to hang in there and get the job done.”

Rory RESCUES horror drive to win Masters | 02:33

The Northern Irishman took the golf world on a rollercoaster ride across the weekend as his record six-shot 36-hole lead quickly disappeared on Saturday before the contenders moved up-and-down the leaderboard for much of the final round.

“I checked the scoreboards after the rough start. I needed to know where I was in the tournament,” McIlroy recalled.

“I thought if I could get back to even par for the day, which I did with birdies on 7 and 8, I was going to be right there on the back nine. I was keeping an eye all day.

“There were a few guys making a run, but nobody like Justin last year. I’m fortunate the guys didn’t really come at me this year either.”

READ MORE

FEATURE: Through Masters hell, McIlroy’s dad had one message. Now his haunted house is wonderland

‘INFANTILE BASKET CASE’: Golf villain shredded as ‘jerk’ 46yo loses plot in all-time dummy spit

MAGIC MCILROY: Fresh Rory thrillride stuns as Masters history sealed in final hole epic‘ONE OF US’: Star’s ‘psycho’ Masters meltdown stuns… and comes at staggering cost

Rory McIlroy speaks in Butler Cabin.Source: FOX SPORTS

McIlroy eventually seized control on the back nine to put himself on the path to victory.

Parallels to how he banished his Augusta demons a year ago were drawn as McIlroy traded moments of magic with bizarre blunders.

He certainly felt that himself as he tried to hang on for dear life.

“It felt pretty similar to last year, I made a double early on the first hole last year, I made a double on four this year,” he recalled.

Rory McIlroy holds the trophy after winning the Masters.Source: AP

“I played flawless golf after that. I made four birdies and no bogeys until the 18th. It’s nice to go in with a two-shot cushion instead of one like I had last year.

“I looked at the board after I made a bogey on 6 and I think I went back to nine under at that point, I thought okay if I get to 14-under I thought I have a great chance of winning this tournament. I didn’t quite get there, I got to 13. 13 was enough standing on the 18th tee.

“I think the tee shot on 12 and the tee shot on 13 were key. I struggled with the tee shot on 13 was up in the pine straw there a few too many times. I made a really good committed swing on the 13th tee and to make birdie there after the birdie on 12, that was massive.”

DISASTER: Rory’s hole 4 putting shocker | 01:11

Making the victory all the more sweet was that McIlroy’s mother, Rosie McDonald, was in attendance this time after staying up late, watching on television 12 months ago.

“It’s the second Major win my mum has been at, she was at Hoylake in 2014,” he said.

“So there was a piece of them that didn’t want to come this year, because they didn’t come last year and maybe that was the reason [that I won].

“I’m so glad that they got to experience that today. We’re all going to have a great time tonight.”

When it came time for the official ceremony, McIlroy began tearing up as he looked at his parents sitting among the crowd.

“Surprisingly, I had to convince them to come this year, because they thought the reason I won was because they weren’t here,” he said.

“I’m glad we proved that wrong.

“I owe everything to you. You are the most wonderful parents and if I can be half the parent to Poppy as you are to me, I know I’ll have done a good job.”

Rory McIlroy speaks after being awarded the Green Jacket.Source: AFP

Back in Belfast, Holywood Golf Club was full of members cheering their homegrown product on.

The 36-year-old certainly had home on his mind in the aftermath, and stressed that he can always feel the support of those who have been there since he was just a golf-mad little boy.

“Thank you for all support back home. I was a little kid with a dream, the support that I have from my family and friends, everyone back home,” McIlroy said in Butler Cabin.

“Some people probably thought it was outlandish to dream the things I wanted to do, but I had amazing support from back home and I can’t thank them enough for that support.”

Rory McIlroy poses with the Masters trophy alongside father Gerry, mother Rosie, wife Erica and daughter Poppy.Source: Getty Images

At the beginning of his speech in the official ceremony, McIlroy was in the mood for a few jokes.

He thanked the tournament officials and apologised for making them move so many patrons as he kept hitting in the pine needles.

He also joked that this week is his daughter’s favourite of the year because of the unlimited ice cream in the clubhouse.

McIlroy also poked fun that winning in successive years meant he forced a Masters tradition to be adapted.

“My parting message last year was ‘I can’t wait to come back next year and put the Green Jacket on myself’,” he said.

Rory McIlroy is presented with his green jacket.Source: FOX SPORTS

“I wasn’t quite correct, because the chairman did it, but I did want to come back and prove that last year wasn’t a fluke.

“This is an absolutely incredible golf tournament, so unique in so many ways.

“The Masters continues to be the shining light of the majors, and I’m so honoured and thrilled to win for the second time.”