So Rory McIlroy finally did it. He joined the Grand Slam club at the 11th attempt of trying, after his spectacular win at The Masters on Sunday.
It was an unforgettable day at Augusta National – one that golfing fans will never forget.
Rory McIlroy certainly didn’t make it easy on himself, but he tucked away The Masters title in the end after beating Justin Rose in a play-off with a magnificent birdie on the 18th hole.
The Northern Irishman laid numerous ghosts to rest with his win on Masters Sunday.
14 years ago, McIlroy held a four-shot lead heading into the back nine at Augusta playing alongside Angel Cabrera in the final group, but he capitulated and ended up shooting an 80.
Amazingly, Angel Cabrera left Rory McIlroy a good luck message on his locker before the 35-year-old teed off.
And that obviously served him well in the end. However, it was Jon Rahm who really helped McIlroy get through the early stages of Masters Sunday.
Rory McIlroy comments on Jon Rahm after winning The Masters for the first time
Two years ago, Rahm won his second major title and his first green jacket at Augusta.
However, his week didn’t start very well at all.
The Spaniard made a double bogey on his very first hole of the tournament, before bouncing back to win The Masters by four shots from Brooks Koepka.
And Rory used Rahm as inspiration after he double-bogied the first hole on Sunday this year.
McIlroy said:
“I’d like to start this press conference with a question myself. What are we all going to talk about next year? (Laughter).
“Look, it’s a dream come true. I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember. I mentioned it out in the prize ceremony, but watching Tiger 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. In a funny way, I feel like the double bogey at the first sort of settled my nerves.
“And it’s funny, walking to the second tee, the first thing that popped into my head was Jon Rahm a couple years ago making double and going on to win. So at least my mind was in the right place, and was at least thinking positively about it.“
What Phil Mickelson said to Rory McIlroy after Masters win
The 35-year-old PGA superstar finally got the job done at Augusta , and his peers couldn’t have been happier for him.
Phil Mickelson sent Rory McIlroy a message after the Northern Irishman was victorious at The Masters on Sunday.
Mickelson said:
“What in incredible Masters. Congrats to Rory on his win and for completing the career grand slam. Amazing.“
Rory McIlroy must be waking up on cloud nine this morning, after finally banishing his Masters demons.
What an incredible day it would have been for him. Now the challenge for him will be to keep racking up the major titles.
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