Rory McIlroy has opened up about his his life has changed since becoming a father.
The eight-time world number one has been married to American Erica Stoll for four years and the couple share a daughter called Poppy.
RSVP Live reports that the Hollywood, Co. Down native was speaking to the media as he defends his CJ Cup title in South Carolina today.
Incidentally, should he win the tournament once again, he will reclaim the world number one spot for a ninth time.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy hailed a 'class act' after being reunited with avid golf fan Kyler
When asked if he feels like a different person and golfer since he last defended his title in an interview aired on RTE Radio 1's Sunday Sport today, he said: "Yes, I'm a father now so that's different."
"I went down a couple of rabbit holes since then as well with my game so being able to come back up and out of those rabbit holes is very satisfying."
When asked what the best thing is about being a father, he had a sweet and powerful answer.
"Going back to those first moments. Those firsts keep happening, it's not as if they ever really stop, and there are firsts all the way into the teenage years and beyond," Rory said.
"All those firsts, and looking forward to bath time and going into their room in the morning and getting them up out of bed. Just all that stuff that you would sort of take for granted."
"The one thing I have said since I've had a child - I always thought I had an appreciation for my parents but it gives me much more of an appreciation for my parents."
Rory and Erica welcomed their first child together on August 31 2020 and named their daughter Poppy Kennedy McIlroy.
The couple had their luxury wedding in April 2017 at one of Ireland's finest hotels, the five-star Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo.
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