Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a ‘sudden-death’ playoff round to win his first green jacket at the 89th Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday.
The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland overcame a shaky start in the final round to become only the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam. McIlroy joins Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only golfers to capture the four major championships in the Masters era, and the first to do so since Woods achieved the Grand Slam in 2000.
McIlroy, who had posted a 1-over 73 to finish 11 under, tied Rose to force the first playoff at the Masters since 2017. Playing again on the 18th hole, McIlroy’s second shot landed just a few feet away from the hole, and after Rose’s putt for birdie just missed, McIlroy was able to get the win by sinking his birdie putt. McIlroy threw his putter in the air and put his head in his hands while falling to his knees and weeping, before hugging his caddie, Harry Diamond. He was still crying after finding his wife Erica, and daughter, Poppy as he walked from the 18th green to the clubhouse, with the crowd cheering him on.
Rose finished in second for the third time at the Masters in his career, with Patrick Reed finishing third at 9-under, and Bryson DeChambeau finishing five-shots back.
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