An emotional Rory McIlroy broke down in tears after breaking his 11-year major drought and winning a maiden Masters title following a dramatic final round at Augusta National on Monday morning AEST.
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In a rollercoaster final round, McIlroy blew a four-shot lead on the back nine and missed an awkward putt on the 18th hole to stumbled into a playoff against England’s Justin Rose.
But after hitting a clutch wedge from 125 yards and draining the subsequent putt, McIlroy vanquished his demons and won a coveted green jacket.
The Northern Irishman raised his arms in triumph before dropping to his knees and sobbing on the ground as the crowd erupted in applause. He let out a visceral scream before embracing caddie Harry Diamond, while Rose congratulated the 35-year-old with a warm hug.
McIlroy, who struggled to contain his emotions, pumping his fists and doubling over in disbelief with deep breaths, also found close mate Shane Lowry, with the duo sharing a heartwarming embrace. Lastly, he hugged wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy with an infectious smile.
He explained the emotions later in the iconic Butler’s Cabin.
“It feels incredible,” McIlroy said.
“This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time.
“The last ten years coming here with the burden of the grand slam on my shoulders and trying to achieve that, I started to wonder what we would talk about going into next year’s Masters.
“I’m just absolutely honoured and thrilled and just so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion.”
McIlroy becomes just the sixth male golfer to compete the career grand slam, while Tiger Woods is the only other to have won all four majors in the last 59 years.
“I would say it was 14 years in the making, from going out with a four-shot lead in 2011, and feeling like I could have gotten it done there,” McIlroy continued.
“There was a lot of pent-up emotion that just came out on that 18th green, but a moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.”
McIlroy then broke down while talking about his parents.
“I want to say hello to my mum and dad, they’re back home in Northern Ireland,” he said through tears.
“I can’t wait to see them next week, I can’t wait to celebrate this with them.”
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McIlroy also became first player to win the Masters after making four double bogeys across the 72 holes.
“When I hit the wedge shot into the creek on 13, I felt like I did a really good job of bouncing back from that,” he explained.
“I was really nervous going out, and it was almost as if the double bogey at the first calmed my nerves a little bit and got me into it in a funny way.
“All week, how I responded to setbacks, I think that’s what I’ll take from this week, and I couldn’t be more proud of myself for that and being able to bounce back when I needed to.”
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McIlroy continued unpacking his emotions in a press conference.
“It’s a dream come true,” he began.
“I’ve dreamt about that moment as long as I can remember.
“Watching Tiger (Woods) here in 1997 do what he did and winning his first green jacket, I think that inspired so many people of my generation to try and emulate what he did.
“There were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders.
“I didn’t make it easy today, I was nervous, it was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on the golf course.
“A complete rollercoaster of day, it was very tricky out there. It almost felt more like a US Open than Masters, just with how firm and fast the greens got.
“It’s been 14 long years, but thankfully I got the job done.
“It was a heavy weight to carry, and thankfully now I don’t have to carry it and it frees me up.”
Asked about the 11-year major title drought, McIlroy responded: “It’s been difficult.
“I’ve tried to approach this tournament with the most positive attitude each and every time I’ve showed up. The cumulative experience that I’ve gained coming back here each and every year, I just feel like I get a little bit more comfortable with the shots needed.
“It’s so hard to stay patient. It’s so hard to keep coming back every year and trying your best and not being able to get it done.
“There were points on the back nine today when I thought, ‘Have I let this slip again?’
“It’s been an emotionally draining week for a lot of reasons.”
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