Rory McIlroy reveals the 'ironic' note disgraced formers Masters champion left in his locker ahead of the final round at Augusta
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy became the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters on Sunday.
McIlroy held his nerve to beat Justin Rose in a nail-biting play-off at Augusta, finally adding the green jacket to his collection and ticking off the last major that had eluded him.
The Grand Slam had been on the cards for McIlroy for 11 years. In 2014, he won The Open Championship and his second PGA Championship to add to the US Open title he claimed in 2011.
McIlroy missed out on the Masters in heart-breaking fashion that year, going into the final round with a four-shot lead but putting in a round of 80.
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He took a two-shot lead into the final round on Sunday and ended the championship 11-under, winning it with a sudden-death birdie on the first bonus 18th hole.
His playing partner back in 2011 was Argentina's Angel Cabrera, the 2009 Masters champion.
Cabrera played at the Masters for the first time since 2019 this year but missed the cut. He was behind McIlroy on the final day and left him a note to prove it.
"You know, since 2011, I think it's so ironic, as well. I got to my locker this morning and I opened it up, and there was a note in there from Angel Cabrera, and just wishing me luck," McIlroy told the media.
"And Angel Cabrera was the player I played with on the final day in 2011, it was a nice touch and a little bit ironic at the same time. It's been 14 long years, but thankfully I got the job done."
Cabrera, 20 years McIlroy's senior at 55, won his second major in 2009 and also had a share of the lead at one point during the ill-fated final round in 2011.
He spent two-and-a-half years in prison in Brazil and Argentina "after being found guilty of assault, theft and illegal intimidation against former girlfriends in 2021" and, after his release, was cleared to play PGA Tour events late in 2023.
"I would say it was 14 years in the making," said McIlroy of his Grand Slam on Sunday.
""A lot of pent-up emotion came out on the 18th green. A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it."
Topics: Golf, Rory Mcilroy
Chris Nee