Rory McIlroy admitted in a Final Post-Round interview with reporters that he fell to the knee after seeing a playoff birdie Putt Sink and won 89th place. Masters Tournament It was pure relief.
“It was all a relief. There was not much joy in the reaction,” he said when one reporter asked what kind of emotions he felt when beating Justin Rose in the first Masters playoffs since 2017. “It was all relieved. Then the joy came quickly.
McIlroy waited 11 years to not only break his massive drought, but more importantly, to etch his name. 5 golf A great man who won a big victory on his resume and gathered a career grand slam.
For sports coverage on foxnews.com, click here
Rory McIlroy is holding the Masters Championship Trophy in the final round of the Masters Tournament held at Augusta National Golf Club. (Kyle Terada-imagn image)
McIlroy has Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and more. Tiger Woodsall have had a Grand Slam for years. They believed he would win one day at Augusta National Golf Club, and after getting closer to the past, McIlroy felt a bit skeptical of fitting the green jacket into him.
But as he stood on the podium, the green jacket already placed on his back by 2024 champion Scotty Schaeffler looked over his daughter Poppy and conveyed a heartfelt message after living it on Sunday.
“To my left, my family, my team,” McIlroy said, restraining tears. “They have been on this journey with me the whole time, and they know the burden of me coming here every year and trying to try again.
Masters officials punish golfers for ball movement
“One thing to say to Poppy sitting in her daughter Poppy is that you should not give up your dreams. Don’t give up on your dreams. Come back and continue working hard.
McIlroy entered the appearance of the 17th Masters, carrying the same weight on the shoulder, which hasn’t won a major since the 2014 Open Championship, posting 66 consecutive rounds on Friday and Saturday, leading the Bryson Deccanbo with two strokes on Sunday.
Deccanbo was just one of the golfers who shook the majors during the 11 year drought, and McIlroy had to endure.
Rory McIlroy will host the Masters Championship Trophy while taking photos with his wife, Erika Stole and daughter Poppy at the Green Jacket Ceremony in the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Kyle Terada-imagn image)
“The US Open last year was awful,” McIlroy said when asking about the low point of his major drought, simultaneously adding a loss to St. Andrews’ Cam Smith for the 2022 Open Championship.
“Losses are difficult and once again I’m so proud of myself that I’m coming back and putting myself in these positions to win the championship.”
It was an emotional and physical roller coaster for McIlroy. It was up and down overall and when it appeared, he was upset with the approach that landed in the water on the 13th, when he was fully controlled with the second nine.
From there, McIlroy returned his lead to the 18th tee, only needed a par to let go of all the weight on his shoulders. However, he missed a short par putt, leading to a sudden death playoff with Rose. Rose was looking for her first green jacket after appearing 20 times in the Masters.
However, McIlroy never lost his faith and he said he helped his longtime caddy, Harry Diamond, return to the No. 18 teebox in a golf cart.
“After the score, Harry and I were walking to the golf cart to bring us back. He said, ‘Well, we would have been taking this Monday morning.’ Absolutely we had a great reset. It rebuilt it for me. ”
McIlroy hit the exact same tee shot he made on hole 72 of the tournament. This time he went back to a 2-foot birdie putt, with his approach far better.
After Rose’s mistake, McIlroy had the opportunity to turn his dream into reality, and this time he didn’t waste it.
As expected, McIlroy was unable to contain his emotions, and tears continued to flow as he hugged his wife, daughter, and many others on his team towards the Butler Cabin.
Rory McIlroy is holding the Masters Championship Trophy in the final round of the Masters Tournament held at Augusta National Golf Club. (Kyle Terada-imagn image)
Click here to get the Fox News app
It was 11 years and was full of trial and hardship. McIlroy pointed out that he still plays great golf along the way, but he knew that there was always something to prove if he didn’t capture that green jacket.
McIlroy can’t prove anything more now.
Follow Fox News Digital’s x Sports Coverageand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
