On Sunday, Rory McIlroy won the 89th Masters, to accomplish what the golf world has waited for 11 years. His Career Grand Slam.
The round started a little chaotic as McIlroy would double bogey the first hole of the tournament. He would quickly change things around with birdies at the third and fourth hole to ease his round. A couple more birdies in the 9th and 10th hole made him the clear favorite to win it all, as Bryson DeChambeau was falling off the leaderboard.
Things turned around quickly as Rory would go into the water after a bad approach on the 13th hole, resulting in a double bogie. Minutes after, Justin Rose would make a putt to tie him, for the lead of the tournament. McIlroy made some great shots, when anxiety was being felt not just by him, but by everyone watching.
The thought of failing the attempt, of him coming close again came through everyone’s mind. Justin Rose didn’t help McIlroy cause, as he would make an amazing put to tie Rory for the lead. This wouldn’t last long, as a great approach at the 17th would give him the chance to finally win The Masters.
Meanwhile, Justin Rose was at the range, staying warm for a potential playoff. This would eventually happen as Rory would miss the put for victory. Players would repeat the 18th hole, where Rose had just made birdie to shoot a 66 while McIlroy bogey to finish up with 73 shots on Sunday.
The second playoff of the year for the Northern Irish, who defeated J.J. Spaun at the Players Championship earlier this year.
In the playoff, Rory’s caddie and long time friend Harry Diamond helped him reset to make an incredible birdie to finally win, The Masters, and accomplish the Career Grand Slam.
The roller coaster of emotions didn’t stop there as Rory, felt relieved, as he put away the pressure he had felt for more than 11 years. It’s the first time a player has been able to win after shooting four double bogey’s. He took 17th times to win it, becoming the second player that took the longest to accomplish. Ironically, the other people that took more was Sergio Garcia, who also defeated Rose in a playoff.
It’s his fifth major, and first win since 2014. Right after winning, Rory didn’t shy about how much this win means to him. “My dreams have been made today.”
Now leader of the FedEx Cup as, he is expected to return to New Orleans next week for the Zurich Classic.