Rory McIlroy joins elite club with career Grand Slam

Dubai: Rory McIlroy completed golf’s career Grand Slam with a tearful Masters victory on Sunday, sinking a tense four-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to defeat Justin Rose.

World No 2 McIlroy ended an 11-year major drought despite squandering the lead three times in the final round, breaking down in tears as he finally captured the elusive green jacket.

“It feels incredible,” McIlroy said. “This is my 17th time here. I was wondering if it would ever be my time. I’m thrilled and so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion.”

McIlroy became only the sixth man — and the first European — to complete the career Grand Slam, winning all four golf majors. He joined Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan in the exclusive club.

The feat was sealed at Augusta National, one of the world’s most beautiful and demanding courses, known for its undulating greens and sprawling bunkers that test even the best.

Drama at the finish

Needing a par on the 72nd hole to win outright, McIlroy found a greenside bunker with his approach at the par-4 18th. He blasted out to five feet but missed a nerve-wracking par putt, the ball veering left as the crowd groaned.

That miss forced a playoff at the 18th, where Rose had birdied from 20 feet in regulation.

In the playoff, Rose dropped his approach 15 feet from the hole, but McIlroy landed his second shot just four feet from the pin. When Rose missed his birdie and tapped in for par, McIlroy had a second chance to make history.

This time, his stroke was true.

Tears on the 18th green

As the crowd erupted, McIlroy sank to his knees on the 18th green, overcome with emotion.

“There was a lot of pent-up emotion that came out on that 18th green,” he said. “It’s a moment like that that makes all the close calls worth it.”