The final round was a microcosm of McIlroy's tumultuous journey in the majors over the past decade. Moments of breathtaking brilliance were interspersed with costly errors, creating a rollercoaster of emotions for the Northern Irishman and the captivated audience.
McIlroy's initial two-shot lead evaporated within the first two holes. Later, a four-shot advantage was squandered in just three holes, punctuated by a shocking mistake. Even on the 72nd hole, victory seemed within his grasp, only for a 5-foot putt to agonizingly slide past the cup, forcing a playoff.
However, in a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination, McIlroy turned what could have been another major disappointment into his most significant triumph. In the sudden-death playoff, he executed a masterful wedge shot, leaving himself a mere three feet for birdie. As the putt dropped, a wave of emotion washed over McIlroy. He raised his arms in elation, let his putter fall, covered his face, and sank to his knees, his chest heaving with the release of 11 years of pent-up emotion since his last major victory – the burden of completing the career Grand Slam.
"There were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders," McIlroy confessed, the green jacket looking a perfect fit. "But I didn’t make it easy today. I certainly didn’t make it easy. I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on the golf course."
The magnitude of his achievement was evident in his raw emotion. The final tap-in was met with unbridled joy, a cathartic release of years of longing and the haunting memory of his final-round collapse at the Masters as a 21-year-old, where a four-shot lead vanished with an 80. "I started to wonder if it would ever be my time," he admitted.
That doubt could have easily resurfaced during the final round's dramatic twists and turns. What initially seemed like a coronation on the back nine transformed into a heart-stopping spectacle of lead changes and unexpected errors, culminating in McIlroy's tearful celebration of disbelief and pure joy.
For Justin Rose, the playoff loss added another layer of heartache at Augusta National. Having lost in a playoff to Sergio Garcia in 2017, Rose's valiant effort, capped by a clutch 20-foot birdie on the 18th for a 6-under 66, ultimately fell short. He now joins Ben Hogan as the only players to have lost twice in playoffs at the Masters. "It’s the kind of putt you dream about as a kid, and to have it and hole it, it was a special feeling," Rose acknowledged. "And unfortunately, the playoff, they always end so quickly. If you’re not the guy to hit the great shot or hole the great putt, it’s over. But not really anything I could have done more today."
McIlroy's elation was palpable from the moment his winning putt dropped, continuing in Butler Cabin as defending champion Scottie Scheffler helped him into the iconic green jacket, and during the trophy presentation on the 18th green. "My dreams have been made today," McIlroy declared.
In a poignant moment, speaking to his 4-year-old daughter Poppy, McIlroy shared a powerful message: "Never give up on your dreams. Never, ever give up on your dreams."
This Masters victory was a stark contrast to McIlroy's 2011 experience at Augusta, where he relinquished a four-shot lead on the final day with a back-nine score of 43 – a memory that can now begin to fade into the background. "I didn’t make it easy today," he reiterated.
Even when faced with adversity during the final round, McIlroy displayed remarkable composure. After appearing to be in trouble left of the 15th fairway, he executed a brilliant 7-iron shot around the trees and onto the green, setting up a birdie that regained him a share of the lead. Two holes later, facing a semi-blind approach, he drilled an 8-iron that landed just two feet from the hole, securing a one-shot advantage.
Yet, the drama was far from over. A missed 5-foot par putt on the 18th forced the playoff, presenting another opportunity for potential heartbreak. But this time, McIlroy responded with unwavering resolve. A booming drive followed by a perfectly executed wedge shot that trickled down to within three feet of the hole set up the winning birdie after Rose's 15-foot attempt missed.
"I just think all week how I responded to setbacks, that’s what I’ll take from this week," McIlroy reflected, a sentiment that could easily encapsulate his entire journey in pursuit of this elusive title. "Couldn’t be more proud of myself for that and being able to bounce back when I needed to."
McIlroy's 11-year wait for another major championship was finally over, with the Masters green jacket completing his collection, joining Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen in the exclusive club of career Grand Slam winners.
Golfing legends Nicklaus and Player had both voiced their belief that this was McIlroy's time, and Woods was among the first to congratulate him on his historic achievement.
Adding to the extraordinary nature of the final round, McIlroy set a Masters record as the first champion to card four double bogeys – two in the opening round that left him seven shots behind, and two in the final round that transformed the tournament into a captivating thriller.
U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who defeated McIlroy at Pinehurst No. 2 last June, held the early lead after McIlroy's opening double bogey but faltered on the back nine with a 75. Ludvig Aberg, a runner-up in his Masters debut a year prior, briefly shared the lead when McIlroy stumbled on the back nine but ultimately finished with a disappointing bogey-triple bogey.
McIlroy and Rose finished the tournament tied at 11-under 277, two shots ahead of former Masters champion Patrick Reed (69). Scheffler, aiming for his third Masters victory in four years, never found his rhythm but still managed a final-round 69 to finish fourth.
Rose, despite a Saturday 75 that left him seven shots adrift and two early bogeys on Sunday, mounted a remarkable comeback with a 10-birdie round, culminating in his clutch birdie on the 18th. However, it was McIlroy's day, a testament to his enduring talent, mental fortitude, and the realization of a dream that had been years in the making. The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland finally leaves Augusta National with the green jacket, a symbol of his place among golf's all-time greats.