Rory McIlroy ended his long wait for a fifth major title and completed the career Grand Slam with a dramatic play-off victory over Justin Rose at The Masters.
McIlroy recovered from losing his overnight two-shot advantage with an opening-hole double bogey to initially take control at Augusta National, only to blow a four-shot lead over his closing six holes.
The world No 2 bogeyed the last to close a one-over 73 and slip back to 11 under alongside Rose, who overturned a seven-stroke deficit and posted a stunning final-round 66 to force a play-off.
McIlroy bogeyed the 72nd hole of The Masters after finding the bunker with his second shot to drop in to a play-off against Justin Rose
The players returned to the 18th for the play-off, where McIlroy made amends for his 72nd-hole blunder by firing a stunning approach to within three feet of the pin and making the birdie putt required for a life-changing win.
McIlroy’s fifth major title is his first since the 2014 PGA Championship and makes him just the sixth golfer in history to complete the career Grand Slam, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
More to follow…
What’s next?
The PGA Tour heads to Hilton Head for the RBC Heritage, the latest Signature Event, with early coverage on Thursday from 12.15pm on Sky Sports Golf ahead of full coverage from 7pm.
The women’s major season begins with the Chevron Championship from April 24-27, where Nelly Korda is defending champion, while the next men’s major is the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club form May 15-18. Get Sky Sports or stream with NOW.
