Rory McIlroy claims play-off victory over Justin Rose to win The Masters and claim elusive fifth major; McIlroy becomes just the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam after an extraordinary final round at Augusta National
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 hols.
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.
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.