- Rory McIlroy held his nerve in a play-off to complete a career Grand Slam
- He saw off a final round charge from Justin Rose to win the Green Jacket
- The day after his win, McIlroy took to social media with an inspiring post
Rory McIlroy has posted a four-word statement after taking to social media for the first time since winning the Masters in jaw-dropping fashion.
Writing on X, McIlroy simply said: ‘Dreams do come true’.
The 35-year-old completed a career Grand Slam – a feat only five others have achieved before him – after holding his nerve in a tense play-off with England’s Justin Rose at an adoring Augusta National on Sunday night.
A four-foot putt for birdie saw an emotional McIlroy make history after an agonising 11-year drought and he celebrated with his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy.
‘I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember,’ he said. ‘There were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders, but I didn’t make it easy today.’
McIlroy took a commanding four-shot lead onto the back nine but dropped multiple shots while on the cusp of golfing immortality, allowing Rose to close the gap.
Rory McIlroy posted a brief message after winning his first Masters in dramatic fashion
McIlroy held his nerve to see off Justin Rose at Augusta National and complete a Grand Slam
He missed a six-footer to win at the 18th in regulation but got the better of his Ryder Cup team-mate before collapsing to the ground and sobbing.
Fourteen years after throwing away a four-shot lead in the final round in 2011, McIlroy held back the tears before being given his Green Jacket by last year’s winner Scottie Scheffler. ‘A lot of pent-up emotion came out on the 18th green,’ he said.
McIlroy had won the US Open, The Open and two US PGA Championships by 2014 but was forced to wait over a decade before wrapping up the historic full set.
He became the sixth player – and the first European – to win the Slam, after Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Gary Player.
‘I’ve carried that burden since August 2014,’ McIlroy said. ‘It’s nearly 11 years. And not just about winning my next major, but the career Grand Slam.
‘You know, trying to join a group of five players to do it, you know, watching a lot of my peers get green jackets in the process. Yeah, it’s been difficult.
‘It was a heavy weight to carry, and thankfully now I don’t have to carry it and it frees me up and I know I’m coming back here every year, which is lovely.’
He then hailed the occasion as one of the best days of his life, adding: ‘It’s up there. I’m not going to compare it to life moments like a marriage or having a child. But it’s the best day of my golfing life. And yeah, I’m very proud of myself.
The Northern Irishman celebrated his success with his wife Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy
McIlroy commiserated Rose on the 18th after sinking a four-foot putt for birdie
‘I’m proud of never giving up. I’m proud of how I kept coming back and dusting myself off and not letting the disappointments really get to me.
‘Talking about that eternal optimist again. Yeah, very proud.’
