Rory McIlroy wins The Masters to complete career Grand Slam after beating Justin Rose in a play-off

Rory McIlroy made history on Sunday as he won The Masters to become only the sixth golfer ever to complete a career Grand Slam.

McIlroy achieved the feat in dramatic fashion via a play-off against Justin Rose in what a rollercoaster of a final round at Augusta National.

The 35-year-old could have won his coveted green jacket earlier but he suprisingly missed a par putt on the 18th hole.

However, he regrouped and rolled in a three-foot putt for birding on the first extra hole to finally win at this prestigious golf course.

Having won the US Open, The Open and two US PGA Championships by the end of 2014, McIlroy completes the full set of major championships at the 11th attempt.

The Northern Irishman becomes the sixth man – and first European – to clinch the Slam, joining Americans Gene Sarazen (1935), Ben Hogan (1953), Jack Nicklaus (1966) and Tiger Woods (2000) and South Africa’s Gary Player (1965).

Rory McIlroy: Masters win is ’14 years in the making’

‘I would say it was 14 years in the making,’ an emotional McIlroy reflected.

‘Going out with a four-shot lead in 2011 and feeling like I could have got it done there.

‘A lot of pent-up emotion came out on the 18th green. A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.

‘I want to say hello to mum and dad back in Northern Ireland. I can’t wait to see them next week and can’t wait to celebrate with them.’

Heartache again for Justin Rose

While it was joy for McIlroy, it was anguish for Rose who lost a play-off at Augusta for a second time in his career after doing so to Sergio Garcia in 2017.

The 44-year-old Englishman was the clubhouse leader after Thursday and Friday’s play but a 75-round on Saturday saw him drop back.

However, he rallied brilliantly on Sunday to force a play-off and come so close to adding this major to his 2013 US Open title.

Magnanimous in defeat, Rose embraced and congratulated his perennial European Ryder Cup team-mate.

‘I just said to him this is a historic moment in golf. It’s pretty cool to share that moment with him,’ Rose revealed.

‘I wanted to be the bad guy today but it’s a momentous occasion for the game of golf.’