Rory McIlroy reflected on the lifting of a “burden” lasting more than a decade after winning the Masters in dramatic fashion at Augusta National. McIlroy’s defeat of Justin Rose on the first sudden death hole means he has become just the sixth player in history to win the career grand slam.
McIlroy needed the Masters to complete his set of majors since winning the US PGA Championship of 2014. He had not added to his major tally, then four, between that Valhalla success and this one at the Masters.
“It’s [been] very difficult,” McIlroy said. “I think I’ve carried that burden since August 2014. It’s nearly 11 years. And not just about winning my next major, but the career grand slam. Trying to join a group of five players to do it, watching a lot of my peers get Green Jackets in the process. Yeah, it’s been difficult.
“I’ve tried to approach this tournament with the most positive attitude each and every time that I’ve shown up and I think just the sort of cumulative experience that I’ve gained coming back here each and every year, I just feel like I get a little more comfortable with the shots needed. There’s talking about it and actually doing it.
“Today was difficult. I was unbelievably nervous this morning. Look, it was a heavy weight to carry and thankfully now I don’t have to carry it. That frees me up and I know I’m coming back here every year, which is lovely.
“It’s a dream come true. I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember. There were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders.”
McIlroy crashed to his knees before bursting into tears as victory was secured. “It was all relief,” he said. “There wasn’t much joy in that reaction. It was all relief.”
On an extraordinary day at Augusta, McIlroy at one stage held a five-shot lead over the field before being pulled back. He had a chance to win the Masters on the final regulation hole but missed from 5ft. Rose’s 66 earned him a playoff berth. “I’ve rode my luck all week,” McIlroy admitted. “And again, with the things that I’ve had to endure over the last few years, I think I deserved it.”
McIlroy revealed the former Masters champion Angel Cabrera, who recently spent time in jail in Argentina, left him a note of good luck before the final day’s play. Cabrera was McIlroy’s playing partner when the latter collapsed so painfully over the back nine at Augusta on the last day of the 2011 Masters.
McIlroy cut an emotional figure once more when he was asked about his caddie and long-time friend, Harry Diamond. “I’ve known Harry since I was seven years old,” McIlroy said. “I met him on the putting green at Holywood Golf Club. We’ve had so many good times together. He’s 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’ve had, all the crap that he’s had to take from people that don’t know anything about the game, yeah, this one is just as much his as it is mine. He’s a massive part of what I do and I couldn’t think of anyone better to share it with than him.”
While unsure of his celebration plans, McIlroy suggested he may visit his parents in Northern Ireland over the coming days. “Just keep believing,” he said of his Masters journey. “I would say that to any young boy or girl that’s listening to this. I’ve literally made my dreams come true today. I would say to every boy and girl listening to this, believe in your dreams, and if you work hard enough and if you put the effort in, you can achieve anything you want.”
