1 week Ago By Andrew Ryan
JUSTIN ROSE praised Rory McIlroy for his victory at The Masters despite being on the receiving end of an agonising play-off defeat.The Englishman, 44, produced a stirring comeback on an extraordinary final day at Augusta National.RexJustin Rose congratulated Rory McIlroy[/caption]Despite trailing McIlroy by six shots at one point, Rose sank TEN birdies to force a play-off.
The Holywood man would overcome setback after setback to complete the Grand Slam, with Rose congratulating his rival.He said: “To make the putt on 18, the one you dream about as a kid, and give myself an opportunity was an unbelievable feeling.“Obviously I wanted to be the bad guy today but still, it’s a momentous occasion for the game of golf.
“When it was all said and done, I said to him I was glad I was here on this green to witness you win the career Grand Slam.”McIlroy bagged the biggest amount of prize money in Masters history – taking home a cool $4.2 million.
McIlroy had already won the US Open, The Open and two US PGA Championships before 2015.It now makes him just the sixth golf star, and the first European, to win the Slam after Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen.He wore his heart on his sleeve throughout his celebrations, sharing tearful embraces with his wife Erica, daughter Poppy, and Shane Lowry.
And after being donned with the Green Jacket by 2024 champ Scottie Scheffler, the world No2 spoke directly to his daughter who was standing nearby with her mum. It has been a tumultuous year for the family, with McIlroy and Erica filing for divorce at one point before reconciling.He said: “And last but certainly not least, over to my left.
My family. My team.“They have been on this journey with me the whole way through.
“They know the burden that I carried to come here and try and try and try again.“The one thing I would say to my daughter Poppy who is 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.“Love you.”Immediately after his play-off win at Augusta, McIlroy was whisked away for an interview in the Butler’s Cabin.
It was during this exchange that he broke down in tears during an emotional tribute to his mum Rosie and dad Gerry.He said: “I would say it was 14 years in the making from going out with a four-shot lead in 2011, feeling like I could have gotten it done there.“There was a lot of pent up emotion that just came out on that 18th green,“A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.
“I want to say hello to my mum and dad.“They are back home in Northern Ireland.“I can’t wait to see them next week and I just can’t wait to celebrate this with them.
”DIAMOND IS FOREVERHe took particular joy in sharing the moment with his long-time caddie, Harry Diamond.The two have known each other since they were kids growing up in Holywood, while Diamond has caddied for McIlroy since his split from JP Fitzgerald.In the post-Masters press conference, the 35-year-old was asked by journalist Eamon Lynch what it meant to share the moment with his childhood friend.
McIlroy took a moment to gather his composure, playfully exclaiming: “Eamon!”When he did manage to fight back the tears, he responded: “I have known Harry since I was seven years old.“I met him on the putting green at Holywood Golf Club.“We have had so many good times together.
“He has been like a big brother to me the whole way through my life.“To be able to share this with him after all the close calls that we have had, all the crap that he has had to take from people that don’t know anything about the game.“This one is just as much his as it is mine.
“He is a massive part of what I do and I couldn’t think of anyone better to share it with than him.”.
