Rory McIllroy Wins His First Masters To Earn Career Grand Slam

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Rory McIlroy has made history, winning long-awaited and first Masters in a sudden death playoff against Justin Rose. The 35-year-old Northern Ireland golfer has at last earned his career Grand Slam, making him just the sixth athlete to ever do so in the sport.

In a dramatic turn of events, McIlroy overcame an uncertain beginning to defeat Rose in the final round of the 89th Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. Earning his green jacket as the sixth golfer to ever complete the career Grand Slam, he joins the likes of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen — the only golfers to capture the four major championships in the Masters era. Post-win, McIlroy said in a statement, “This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time. I think the last 10 years coming here with the burden of the Grand Slam on my shoulders and trying to achieve that, yeah, I’m sort of wondering what we’re all going to talk about going into next year’s Masters.”

During the playoff on the par-4 18th, Rose’s approach saw him nearly hit the hole on the fly, but McIlroy had him beat with his ball landing on the slope just above the hole and rolling back four feet from the cup. Rose missed a second chance to receive his first green jacket, missing a 5-footer on the 72nd hole. After the emotional win, McIlroy 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. Yeah, 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.”

McIlroy received plenty of congratulations online from fellow golfers and athletes. Woods said, “Welcome to the club
@McIlroyRory. 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!” This marks McIlroy’s 11th attempt at finishing the career Grand Slam and his fifth major championship victory, the first in over a decade. He is also the first Masters champion to card four double-bogeys in a tournament.