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The Northern Irishman ended his drought with his first green jacket in a dramatic Sunday that went into a playoff against Justin Rose
Spanish golfer Jon Rahm finished fourteenth
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was crowned champion of the 89th edition of the Masters of Augusta, the first major of the season, to end an eleven-year drought and complete the Grand Slam after a dramatic Sunday where he claimed the green jacket in a playoff against Englishman Justin Rose.
McIlroy joined a select club of now six golfers, including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, and Gary Player, who have all won the four majors, once again battling with himself. In his eleventh attempt to complete the circle, after notable collapses in the last two US Opens, McIlroy mixed tragedy with ecstasy at Augusta National.
The Northern Irishman started Sunday as the leader in his stellar duel against American Bryson DeChambeau and began with a double-bogey and two birdies in the first four holes. The day looked promising, but DeChambeau, who took advantage of the gifts from the last US Open, couldn’t keep up. McIlroy entered the back nine with a four-shot lead, but Rose caught up from behind.
The Englishman, who had led on Thursday and Friday, and Swede Ludvig Aberg then led a resistance that coincided with McIlroy’s collapse. The Grand Slam contender made a bogey on the 11th, an inexplicable double-bogey on the 13th, and another bogey on the 14th. McIlroy couldn’t sink a putt, and suddenly, a three-way tie at the top set the stage for a heart-stopping finale at the Masters.
McIlroy’s reaction was one of the biggest roars of the tournament, an incredible second shot on the 15th hole to set up an eagle opportunity, but he only managed to gain one stroke. He also missed a chance on the 16th, while Rose sank a very long putt to finish at -11. McIlroy responded again on the 16th, another great shot to the flag and a birdie, but the ghosts returned on the 18th.
The Holywood native, who had to play from the sand, missed from a meter and a half, sending Rose back to the 18th tee. In the playoff, the Englishman fell short, couldn’t adjust to the flag, and missed the putt. McIlroy was lethal and didn’t give another chance, collapsing on the green after a rollercoaster ride that seemed to have no end, despite being one of the favorites every year.
This season, the world number two came in with two PGA titles, including The Players, and ended his 11-year major drought against Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, who once again fell in the playoff at Augusta, as he did in 2017 against Spanish player Sergio García. Once again, McIlroy, with five majors in his trophy cabinet and another 27 Top 10 finishes, faced himself and this time cried tears of joy as he earned the status of a golf legend.
American Patrick Reed finished third at -9, thanks to an eagle on the 17th hole, while world number one and defending champion Scottie Scheffler finished fourth at -8. DeChambeau, who couldn’t bring another joy to LIV Golf, ended up in the Top 5.
As for the Spanish representation, Jon Rahm finished below par once again, with a -3 which was his best result of the week, placing him in fourteenth. The Basque player showed that his game was still intact, although not as polished as before heading to the Saudi circuit, looking forward to a season where he aims to be back in the mix.