Rory McIlroy answers all the questions with Masters golf triumph

AUGUSTA – Rory McIlroy’s dramatic

Masters win on April 13

put an end to the questions that have hounded him every time he set foot on Augusta National over the past 10 years, as he finally turned the page on years of frustration.

The Northern Irishman’s roller-coaster one-over 73 round ended with him beating Justin Rose in a one-hole play-off – 10 years after his first attempt to achieve the rare feat of capturing all four of golf’s Majors.

“I’d like to start this press conference with a question myself,” McIlroy said as he entered the interview room donning his new Green Jacket.

“What are we all going to talk about next year?” he asked with a laugh. “I have dreamt about that (winning) moment for as long as I can remember.”

That dream threatened to turn into a nightmare when the overnight leader’s two-stroke advantage evaporated with a double-bogey on the first.

He settled into his round to regain the lead but disaster struck again when he somehow found the water on No. 13, and a back-nine collapse reminiscent of his heartbreaking final round at Augusta in 2011 appeared possible as Rose pulled level on 11-under 277 with a six-under 66.

But history would not repeat itself. McIlroy’s brilliant approach shot in the play-off set up a short birdie putt for the championship, and he fell to his knees on the green and wept as the reality of the moment began to sink in.

“There were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders,” added McIlroy, after claiming his fifth Major title.

“I certainly didn’t make it easy today. I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on the golf course.”

He also said that the double-bogey on the first actually helped settle his nerves, after a morning when he was so anxious he had difficulty eating.

“It was a heavy weight to carry, and thankfully now I don’t have to carry it and it frees me up,” he said.

The Masters triumph is McIlroy’s first Major victory since the PGA Championship in 2014. But he said his belief in himself never wavered as the wait went on.

“You have to be the eternal optimist in this game,” he added. “I’ve been saying it until I’m blue in the face. I truly believe I’m a better player now than I was 10 years ago.

“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, I thought, have I let this slip again?

“But I responded with some clutch shots when I needed to, and I’m really proud of myself for that.”

And how lucky was McIlroy? He also became the first Masters champion with four double-bogeys in his victory run.

The 35-year-old said he was inspired by Tiger Woods’ first Masters win in 1997 and he received congratulations from the 15-time Major champion after his win.

“Welcome to the club,” Woods posted on social media. “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!”

Rose, meanwhile, was disappointed not to win the Green Jacket but said he could not help but be happy for his friend and the sport itself.

“To make the putt on 18, the one you dream about as a kid, and give myself an opportunity was an unbelievable feeling,” he said.

“Obviously I wanted to be the bad guy today but still, it’s a momentous occasion for the game of golf. When it was all said and done, I said to him I was glad I was here on this green to witness you win the career Grand Slam.”

Rose, an Olympic champion who won the 2013 US Open and finished runner-up at the 2024 British Open, said he is looking to pad his already impressive resume on the back end of his career.

“Last two Majors I’ve played I’ve come in second place,” the 44-year-old said. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to do with my career at this stage and more evidence that I’m doing some really good work.”

Patrick Reed was alone in third at 279, followed by world No. 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler a stroke further back. Both carded 69s. Byrson DeChambeau, second after the third round, faded with a 75 for joint-fifth spot with Im Sung-jae (69) on 281. REUTERS, AFP