5 days Ago By Evening Standard
Rory McIlroy reflected on a “dream come true” as he banished 14 years of Masters pain to the history books to claim a Green Jacket and with it the career Grand Slam. The Northern Irishman held a four-shot lead heading into the final round at Augusta National in 2011 but fell away in dramatic fashion on the back nine, and a similar story threatened to unfold on Sunday night. McIlroy walked off the 12th green four shots clear of Justin Rose and, with playing partner Bryson DeChambeau all at sea, the Masters was seemingly entirely in his control.
But a double bogey at 13 and another dropped shot on the 14th suddenly left McIlroy level with Rose and Ludvig Aberg, as the rollercoaster continued. The 35-year-old hit stunning approach shots to set up birdies on 15 and 17 to give him a one-shot lead at the last, only for McIlroy to miss a six-foot putt for victory. At the first play-off hole against Rose, this time from half the distance, the bottom of the cup was found.
“Look, it's a dream come true,” McIlroy said. “I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember. I mentioned it out in the prize ceremony, but watching Tiger [Woods] here in 1997 do what he did, and then winning his first green jacket, I think that inspired so many of my generation to want to emulate what he did.
“You know, there were points in my career where I didn't know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders, but I didn't make it easy today. I certainly didn't make it easy. I was nervous.
“It was one of the toughest days I've ever had on the golf course.” That seven on the par-five 13th threatened to derail nearly four days of good work, with that remarkably the fourth double bogey McIlroy carded in the week. He had played the hole conservatively, laying up to around 80 yards with his second shot, but then inexplicably found the creek with his third.
“I wanted to cry for him,” DeChambeau said after the round. “As a professional you just know to hit it into the middle of the green. I can’t believe he went for it.
“There were times when it looked like he had full control and times I was like, ‘what’s going on?’”. That about summed it up. McIlroy will now have a fortnight to reflect on climbing’s golf Everest, before he returns to defend his title alongside Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic later this month.
Asked how he will celebrate his historic achievement, McIlroy said: “I don't know. I'll stay here tonight. I'll probably head home to Florida tomorrow.
I'd really love to see my mum and dad. They are back in Northern Ireland. So maybe a trip back home at some point next week.
” It was also put to the Manchester United fan that he could parade the Green Jacket around Old Trafford before the end of the season. “If it can inspire some better play, absolutely,” McIlroy joked. Close friends Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood were waiting to congratulate McIlroy after his victory, before Scottie Scheffler put the Green Jacket on him.
Lowry said: “This means everything to him. It’s all he thinks about. It’s all he talks about, all he thinks about.
Always said to me he’d retire a happy man if he won the Green Jacket.” McIlroy is now one of only six men to have won all four majors, and Tiger Woods took to social media to pay tribute to the latest addition to that exclusive group. He posted: “Welcome to the club Rory McIloy Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special.
Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you’re a part of history. Proud of you!” It was a painful finale for Rose, losing in a Masters play-off for the second time having also been pipped by Sergio Garcia in 2017, but he shared a long embrace with McIlroy on the 18th green. “I just said, listen, this is a historic moment in golf, isn’t it, someone who achieves the career Grand Slam,” Rose said.
“I just said it was pretty cool to be able to share that moment with him. Obviously, I wanted to be the bad guy today, but still, it’s a momentous occasion for the game of golf.” The 44-year-old was also able to reflect on the positives after making ten birdies in a sensational final round of 66, including a 20-foot putt on the 18th to ultimately earn himself a place in the play-off.
“To make the putt on 18, the one you dream about as a kid, to obviously give myself an opportunity and a chance was an unbelievable feeling,” Rose said. “Obviously, I’ve been in this position before, 2017. It’s definitely tough, but I bounced back pretty well from that, too.
Went on to be World No. 1 after that, so I used it to my advantage. “Last two majors I’ve played, I’ve come up in second place, but it’s exactly what I’m trying to do with my career at this stage, and it’s more evidence that I’m doing some really good work.
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