AUGUSTA, Ga. — Ultimately, after Rory McIlroy twice approached the final fairway with victory within reach at the Masters, overcoming numerous competitors and his own errors during a deeply emotional 19 holes, and after sinking to his knees in a surge of feeling, he paused near the Augusta National clubhouse.
He had at last conquered his ultimate challenge. Now, only one thing remained. Visibly emotional, he turned to his friends and spoke the words he had longed to utter for over a decade:
`I have to go get a green jacket.`
On Sunday, under the weight of an 11-year major championship drought, the Augusta crowd was ready to applaud McIlroy`s breakthrough. However, as he navigated what he described as a tumultuous round, whispers of doubt also circulated.
`Oh my God,` one spectator exclaimed after McIlroy`s double bogey on the first.
`It`s nerves,` another commented, as McIlroy conceded the lead to Bryson DeChambeau on the second hole.
One patron covered his face, lamenting, `He`s doing it again.`
When McIlroy`s ball found Rae`s Creek on the 13th, resulting in another double bogey, followed by a bogey on 14, and a final bogey on 18 offsetting a birdie on 17, it appeared to be a familiar narrative: another golden opportunity lost on golf`s grandest stage. Even McIlroy himself entertained this thought.
`There were moments on the back nine today when I questioned, “Have I let it slip away once more?”` McIlroy admitted. `My real contest today was internal. It wasn`t against anyone else.`
This victory was the culmination of over a decade of pursuit. Past near misses and disappointments had left their mark, creating a fine line between triumph and defeat. It was almost inevitable that it would unfold this way: a six-shot lead with eight holes remaining proved insufficient, each subsequent shot carrying immense pressure, threatening to relegate him to familiar heartbreak, until finally, after a playoff, relief arrived.
`This is the greatest day of my golfing career,` McIlroy declared. `I have genuinely realized my dreams.`
A win at St. Andrews in 2022 would have been symbolically resonant. Victory at the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023 would have tangibly highlighted his improved game. Triumph at Pinehurst last year could have provided a dramatic end to his major drought.
Yet, none of these victories would have addressed the lingering question: Could McIlroy conquer Augusta?
For McIlroy, this tournament holds profound personal significance, deeply intertwined with his golfing journey. Memories of watching the Masters as a 7-year-old with his father flooded his thoughts when speaking on Tuesday and again on Sunday evening.
`I believe all of that comes back to me,` McIlroy reflected. `Remembering the initial spark of my love for golf.`
Two years after turning professional in 2007, McIlroy made his Masters debut in 2009, finishing tied for 20th. He has competed in every tournament since – 17 in total – experiencing both close calls and disappointments. Over nearly two decades, the landscape of golf and its premier tournament has evolved, and so has McIlroy.
The youthful, unruly dark curls that framed his face at 19 as he first drove down Magnolia Lane are gone. Now, McIlroy sports a more refined haircut. The graying at his temples reflects the passage of time, a testament to his longevity in the sport and a reminder of the numerous opportunities he has had to achieve what he accomplished on Sunday: reaching the pinnacle of golf, the career Grand Slam.
`I believe I`ve carried this burden since August 2014,` McIlroy shared. `It`s been incredibly challenging. Today was particularly tough.`
McIlroy spoke extensively about the nerves he battled throughout Sunday. He discussed the pressure, both self-imposed and amplified by predictions from legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, who spoke of his Masters victory as an inevitability.
However, Sunday`s performance, in its intense microcosm, reaffirmed that McIlroy`s path is distinct from Nicklaus or Woods. This isn`t a reflection of his skill, but rather that his journey, much like the week`s rollercoaster of four double bogeys and unpredictable swings, is defined by both peaks and valleys.
`You must maintain eternal optimism,` McIlroy stated. `I genuinely believe I am a superior player now compared to a decade ago.`
His unwavering patience, belief, and resilience, even in the face of repeated setbacks, were tested to their limit at Pinehurst last year. That defeat cast uncertainty over the immediate future of McIlroy`s career, necessitating what seemed like a complete reset. McIlroy responded by taking time off, wandering through New York City alone, eventually returning to practice, working on his swing in a simulator.
A technical adjustment, mental rejuvenation, and a new year ushered in a refined McIlroy. He secured victories at Pebble Beach and the Players Championship, acknowledging Scottie Scheffler`s dominant year as motivation, showcasing a remarkable blend of control and aggression.
Yet, the central question persisted, now more pressing than ever: Could he achieve it at the Masters? On Sunday, he provided the long-awaited affirmation. It also revealed the depth of his desire.
`This is my 17th appearance here, and I began to question if my time would ever come,` McIlroy confessed. `The emotion I displayed on the final green in the playoff was the culmination of at least 11, if not 14 years, of built-up feelings.`
`I accomplished the mission.`
In a video released by the PGA Tour earlier on Sunday, McIlroy is asked about his jacket size. He indicates he wears a 38 or 40 short, depending on his weekly diet.
`I prefer a slightly more European style,` McIlroy explains in the video. `A bit more fitted, a little more tapered and snug.`
On Sunday, Scheffler assisted McIlroy in donning the green jacket. The size, 38 regular, was slightly large and not yet tailored to McIlroy`s preferred fit. However, as the wool enveloped his shoulders, McIlroy closed his eyes, raised his hands, and looked upwards.
The fit didn`t need to be perfect; everything else already was.
