Rory McIlroy Turns Another Major Collapse Into His Grandest Moment of All

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy turned another major collapse into his grandest moment of all, hitting a wedge into 3 feet for birdie in a sudden-death playoff Sunday to finally win the Masters and take his place in golf history as the sixth player to claim the career Grand Slam.

Augusta, Georgia - In a sudden-death playoff Sunday at the Masters, Rory McIlroy sank a wedge shot to within 3 feet of the hole for birdie. This grand moment occurred after Justin Rose missed a 15-foot birdie putt from a lower shelf on the 18th hole, finally sealing McIlroy's victory.

McIlroy's wedge shot bounced onto the slope of the top shelf with enough spin to trickle down to 3 feet. As he watched the ball roll towards the hole, McIlroy raised both arms and let the putter fall behind him in anticipation.

The magnitude of McIlroy's achievement dawned on him immediately. He fell to his knees, then forehead on the 18th green as his chest heaved with emotion. So ended one of the wildest Sundays at a major that is known for them.

The 34-year-old golfer from Northern Ireland finally claimed the green jacket, completing the career Grand Slam with a 1-over 73 that was good enough to tie Justin Rose at 7-under 281. Their playoff began with both players making par on the 10th hole, then both limping into the 13th with bogeys.

McIlroy's wedge shot on no. 13 landed in the tributary of Rae's Creek, leading to a triple bogey that left him needing eagle on no. 17 just to tie for the lead. However, he managed to sink a 30-foot birdie putt on no. 16 and 15-foot birdie putt on no. 17, tying the lead with one hole remaining.

Despite missing a 5-foot par putt on the 18th hole, McIlroy's stellar performance throughout the tournament ultimately led to his victory.

The 50-year-old Rose, who lost to Sergio Garcia in a playoff at Augusta in 2017, valiantly forced this playoff with a clutch 20-foot birdie on the 18th hole for a 6-under 66. However, he wound up joining Ben Hogan as the only players to lose twice in playoffs at Augusta National.

Earlier in the day, Perrine Delacour of France closed with a 2-under 70 for a two-shot victory over Casandra Alexander in the Investec South Africa Women's Open, her second title of the year on the Ladies European Tour.

In other tour action, Tatsunori Shogenji closed with a 5-under 66 for a three-shot victory Sunday in the Token Homemate Cup, the season opener on the Japan Golf Tour.

Renato Paratore of Italy rallied with a 7-under 65 and won the UAE Challenge by two shots over JC Ritchie of South Africa on Europe's Challenge Tour.

Yuka Yasuda closed with a 1-under 71 and defeated Yui Kawamoto and Cocoro Nakamura in a playoff to capture the Fujifilm Studio Alice Ladies Open on the Japan LPGA.

And Minju Kim shot a 5-under 67 to come from two shots behind and win the iM Financial Group Open by three shots on the Korea LPGA.