📰 Rory McIlroy finally wins Masters in playoff win that secures career grand slam

By Cameron McMillan

Rory McIlroy has joined the greats of golf completing the career grand slam with a dramatic playoff victory at the US Masters at Augusta.

After missing a six-footer for par at the last hole, McIlroy beat Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose in the first hole of the playoff with a birdie at the 18th hole.

For Rose, it is the second time he’s lost a playoff at the Masters, after being defeated by Sergio Garcia in 2017.

McIlroy joins Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as players to complete the career grand slam. For the Northern Irishman it’s his first major win since 2014.

McIlroy began the day with a two-shot lead but double-bogeyed the opening hole. A hole later he was trailing Bryson DeChambeau by a stroke.

But McIlroy found his composure and hit some stunning approaches from difficult spots to lead by three with six to play. However, another double bogey, his fourth of the tournament, at the 13th saw him give up the sole lead again.

Every time McIlroy gave up the lead he bounced back.

After a bogey at 14, he almost had an eagle at the 15th leading to a tap-in birdie. Another superb birdie at the 17th gave him a one-shot lead over Rose. But his approach at the 72nd hole went into the greenside bunker and despite a well-hit approach, he missed a six-footer to win the title.

At the first playoff hole, McIlroy had another great drive at the 18th and struck his approach to within three feet. After Rose just missed a birdie putt, McIlroy sunk his to finally claim the green jacket.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission