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Rory McIlroy was emotional after becoming the first European men’s player to complete a career grand slam of golf’s majors.
Emotional Rory McIlroy soaks in the applause (AP)
Rory McIlroy was teary-eyed as he ended his long wait for a Masters title. The star golfer walked back amid applause after a birdie on the opening hole of a sudden-death playoff helped him beat Justin Rose and claim the career Grand Slam after a nerve-wracking final round on Sunday.
He gave his wife Erica Stoll a hug and kiss and then picked up his daughter Poppy for a tight hug as he broke down in tears again.
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“To fund his golfing ambitions, McIlroy’s parents took on extra jobs. Gerry worked 100 hours a week; he cleaned toilets and showers at a local sports club in the mornings, served as a bartender at Holywood Golf Club from 12 to 6 pm, then returned to the sports club to work behind… pic.twitter.com/cnKricmkUB— Garry Tan (@garrytan) April 14, 2025
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After missing a five-foot par putt at the 18th in regulation that forced the playoff, McIlroy made sure he did not let his latest chance at major glory slip away and returned to the same hole in the playoff and put his approach two feet from the cup.
When the winning putt dropped, McIlroy raised his arms toward the clear sky and let his putter fall behind him as he dropped to his knees overcome with emotion.
McIlroy then embraced his wife Erica and daughter Poppy as chants of “Rory! Rory!” rang out around the green while he made his way toward Butler Cabin to collect the Green Jacket that he almost threw away earlier after a back-nine stumble.
“There was a lot of pent-up emotion that just came out on that 18th green,” McIlroy said just before slipping on the Green Jacket during the presentation ceremony. “A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.”
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With the win, McIlroy joins Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only golfers to win each of the four major championships.
The 35-year-old McIlroy arrived at the year’s first major, where in 2011 he blew a four-shot lead on the back nine, seeking his first major since August 2014 to end a barren run that came with its fair share of near misses.
(With inputs from Agencies)
