Emotions were running high after Rory McIlroy sunk the winning putt to beat Justin Rose and win the Masters on Sunday. McIlroy had been waiting 11 years to complete the career Grand Slam and the tension was high on the 18th green – and it all poured out once his victory was confirmed.
The Northern Irishman sank to his knees with emotion etched across his face before sharing a hug with his caddie Harry Diamond and a few words with his Ryder Cup team-mate Rose. He was soon celebrating his remarkable achievement with his wife Erica Stoll and their daughter Poppy.
The 35-year-old, who became just the sixth man – and the first European – to win all four Majors, later described his victory as a “dream come true”. And the emotions of the moment were summed up by a lengthy hug he shared with Kate Rose – the wife of his defeated opponent.
McIlroy is a close friend of Rose and their families are also close. During the 12-second hug in front of the television cameras and the Augusta crowd, Kate could be seen telling McIlroy: “I’m really, really happy for you.”
It was a touching moment that summed up the sportsmanship between the two golfers and it has now emerged that Stoll had previously shared a similar moment with Kate. The two wives were watching on during the tense final moments of the play-off and there were no hard feelings after McIlroy prevailed.
The two women immediately turned to each other and shared a hug after the final putt of the weekend found the hole. It was a fitting end to a dramatic final day at Augusta in which McIlroy had threatened to throw away his commanding lead.
“It feels incredible,” he told Jim Nantz straight after. “This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time.
“And I think the last 10 years coming here with the burden of the grand slam on my shoulders and trying to achieve that…yeah, I sort of wonder what we’re going to talk about going into next year’s Masters!
“I’m just absolutely honored and thrilled and just so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion.”
McIlroy also shared some kind words about Rose in his press conference, revealing that he congratulated him on his brilliant performance when they spoke on the 18th green. “He’s a great champion,” McIlroy said.
“He has displayed so much grace throughout his career. You know, selfishly, I was happy that it was another Euro in the playoff. We’re on a good run at the minute. We’re Ryder Cup year and all that.
“But yeah, you know, Justin is a great champion. And I remember watching the playoff in ’17 when he went up against Sergio, and that didn’t quite go his way, either.
“But he’s had a phenomenal record around here, and I feel for him a little bit because he’s been so close. Yeah, he’s a good friend, and yeah, hopefully he has a few more opportunities.”
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