Rory McIlroy gives thanks to his mother at the 2014 British Open Championship, where he garnered first place and won $1.6 million. He took home the Claret Jug by his winning two shots at the Royal Liverpool in Hoylake.

McIlroy is just 26, but this is his third major win in the field of professional gold. His mother immediately came up to him after holing his finals putt.

"This is the first major I have won when my mum has been here," the son said. "So mum; this one is for you. It was just great to see her on the back of the 18th there and how much it meant to her. I was trying not to cry at the time because she was bawling her eyes out.

"The Open is the one we all want and the one we strive for. To be holding the Claret Jug is an incredible feeling."

"Today wasn't easy," said the Irishman. "There were a few guys making runs at me out there.

"I knew I had some holes where I could make birdie and 16 was the real hole for me which I think settled the championship."

"I want to be the guy that goes on and wins majors and wins majors regularly, wins tournaments," he said. "I'd love to be in that position.

"I've had chances before to kick on from there. I did after my second major at Kiawah Island. I kicked on for another six months and played really well.

"I just want to think ahead and go forward and try and win as many tournaments and as many majors as I can, because I feel like there's a lot more left in me."

For runner- up Sergio Garcia, he complimented McIlroy by saying, "I think that we gave it a good effort and there was someone a little bit better."

With reports from: theguardian.com