Nick Faldo faces backlash for Rory McIlroy post after Masters win as fans slam what he said on commentary

He might not have won the Grand Slam but Nick Faldo knows a thing or two about coming out on top at the Masters.

Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a nail-biting play-off at the Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday to finally win the Masters and complete a historic career Grand Slam.

Faldo won the Masters three times between 1989 and 1996, and the US-based Englishman took a great deal of pride in McIlroy's dramatic success in Sunday's final round in Georgia.

Indeed, 67-year-old Faldo and McIlroy go way back. Faldo, who also won The Open Championship on three occasions, was quick to point that out after McIlroy's birdie on the 18th hole in the sudden-death play-off at the end of a spectacular day of golf.

Faldo, a highly regarded analyst notoriously unhindered by a lack of self-regard, heralded McIlroy's victory on X, formerly Twitter.

"I’ve never been put through the wringer of emotions like that in the commentary box," he posted.

"So pleased for @rorymcilroy, and proud to have known him all these years since he was a whippersnapper in the @faldoseries!"

There's no real controversy there – let he who has not put a major sporting moment into a personal context on Twitter cast the first stone – but the post, combined with a photograph of a youthful Faldo looking a million dollars next to a baby-faced McIlroy in a jacket that could have done with the attentions of Augusta's private tailors, inevitably caught the eye of the golfing public on social media.

Rory McIlroy was finally presented with the coveted green jacket. Image: Getty

Bookmaker Paddy Power deemed it necessary to weigh in, posting that "If one thing’s for certain, Nick Faldo will always find a way to make it about himself..."

"Once again, you just can’t resist making it about you can you Nick," asked one user.

"Congratulations Nick, great win for you," wrote another.

"Your ability to make everything about yourself is unparalleled..." read another of Faldo's replies.

Faldo also came under fire from fans who perceived a bias against American Bryson DeChambeau on the final day at Augusta, with some X users accusing him of disrespect and even hatred in his commentary on the two-time US Open champion.