Masters final round RECAP: Rory McIlroy survives final round collapse to win Masters, breaks down in tears
Updated . First published
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T1 Rory McIlroy -11 McIlroy wins in first playoff hole. |
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That wraps up Wide World of Sports' LIVE coverage of the final round of the Masters, where Rory McIlroy claimed an emotional victory.
Check back throughout the day for more reaction, analysis and coverage.
McIlory breaks down in tears amid epic Masters victory
Rory McIlroy has broken an 11-year majors drought and claimed his first Masters victory in thrilling fashion at Augusta National.
The Northern Irish champion had to beat English veteran Justin Rose in a playoff after missing a winning putt on the last hole of his tournament.
Following the victory he fell to his knees in tears, and continued crying as he hugged his partner, daughter and best friend Shane Lowry on his way off the course.
Rory McIlroy embraces his caddie after winning the Masters and securing the grand slam of majors. Fox Sports
Rory's message to daughter
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, Rory McIlroy used his speech in the official green jacket presentation to deliver an emotional message to his daughter Poppy.
"Never ever give up on your dreams. Keep coming back, keep working hard, and if you put your mind to it, you can do anything," he said, once again fighting through tears.
In the decade since his last major victory, his doubters questioned his mental toughness the longer the drought extended. Indeed, with two double bogeys in his final round, it would have been tested to its absolute limit.
McIlroy said he still couldn't believe he was the owner of a green jacket.
McIlroy with daughter Poppy and wife Erica Stoll after the green jacket ceremony. Getty
"I go back to watching this tournament with my father when I was 7 and 8 years old, watching Tiger Woods do what he did in 1997," McIlroy said.
"That was my inspiration to try to become what I am today. To think that that I'm up here wearing one of those green jackets, honestly it's a dream come true, like my dreams have been made today.
"It's an honor of a lifetime to be standing here. I've dreamt about this moment for so long and I can't wait to be here again next year, in Scotty's position, hopefully, putting the green jacket back on myself."
McIlroy fought back tears in his speech. Getty
More from Rory in Butler Cabin
No player in the history of the Masters has ever made four double-bogeys and still gone on to win. Until Rory.
McIlroy made two late in the opening round, and two more in the final round.
The first came on the first hole, and then the second at the 13th when he dunked his approach shot into the creek guarding the green.
But McIlroy said that first double pulled his mind into gear.
"When I hit the wedge shot into the creek on 13 ... I felt like I did a really good job of bouncing back from that," he said.
"And the double bogey at the first as well, I was really nervous going out and it was almost as if the double bogey at the first calmed my nerves a little bit and sort of got me into it in a funny way.
"I just think all week, how I responded to setbacks, I think that's what I'll take from this week.
"I couldn't be more proud of myself for that and and being able to bounce back when I needed to."
Rory McIlroy can't quite believe it. Fox
Rory opens up on Augusta doubts
Speaking in Butler Cabin, McIlroy admitted he had doubts if he would ever clinch a green jacket.
After his meltdown in 2011, McIlroy had top-5s in 2015, 2018, 2020 and 2022.
But he also missed the cut in 2021 and 2023.
He said finally winning a green jacket feels "incredible".
"This is my 17th time (to Augusta), and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time," he said.
"The last 10 years, coming here with the burden of the grand slam on my shoulders and trying to achieve that ... I'm wondering what we're all going to talk about going into into next year's Masters.
"I'm just absolutely honored and thrilled and just so proud to be able to call myself a masters champion."
McIlroy said he'd started to have doubts he'd ever win a green jacket. Getty
Rory breaks down when talking about parents
Rory McIlroy has broken down while thanking his parents.
Speaking inside Butler Cabin, McIlroy was asked about his reaction on the 18th green. He collapsed onto the surface and his shoulders were visibly trembling.
"I would say it was 14 years in the making," he said.
"Going out with the four-shot lead in 2011, feeling like I could have got it done there. Yeah, there was a lot of pent up emotion that just came out on that 18th green.
"A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it. I want to say hello to my mum and dad. They're back home in Northern Ireland ..."
It was at this point he broke down.
"They (made a lot of sacrifices), and I can't wait to see them next week. I just can't wait to celebrate this with them."
He was then presented his green jacket by defending champion Scottie Scheffler.
The moment Rory McIlroy was presented his green jacket by defending Masters champion Scottie Scheffler. Fox Sports
Elite club McIlroy joins
Rory McIlroy has now joined some of the biggest names in the history of golf to win the career grand slam.
Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and now Rory McIlroy.
Rory McIlroy hugs daughter Poppy after winning the Masters at Augusta. Fox Sports
RORY MCILROY WINS THE MASTERS
Justin Rose's putt looked good all the way but just slipped past the hole.
With a look at the end of Rose's putt, McIlroy stepped up and calmly sunk the putt to finally end a decade-plus major drought.
He's visibly emotional as he embraces his caddie and Rose.
Rory McIlroy collapses onto the green after winning the Masters and securing the grand slam of majors. Fox Sports
Rory McIlroy breaks down in tears. FOX Sports
What. A. Shot! (Again!)
Justin Rose hit first and hit his wedge to about 5m.
Up steps Rory. He threw an absolute dart and he's got 2ft for birdie and potentially a green jacket.
The Englishman will putt first.
Both get off the tee well
Both men have found the fairway with their tee shots on the first playoff hole. Rose piped his down the right hand side, and McIlroy down the guts - basically exactly as he did in regulation.
They've both got good looks at the green from where they are.
McIlroy started the day at 12-under and carded a 1-over 73. Rose started his day at 5-under and carded a 6-under 66 to get into the playoff.