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Rory McIlroy is etched in golf history as a career grand slam winner.
McIlroy pulled out a roller coaster of a Masters tournament, winning the Green Jacket in a playoff with a clutch birdie to knock off Justin Rose. Both players finished 72 holes at 11-under-par before a dramatic playoff that featured a pair of towering drives and amazing approach shots.
McIlroy didn’t even need to make it that difficult on himself, but he did with a series of mistakes throughout the tournament sprinkled in between tons of spectacular moments.
McIlroy made a pair of double bogeys at the end of his first round, undoing a great round to finish the first 18 holes at even par.
On Sunday, McIlroy blew up for a double bogey on the first hole before jumping out to a massive lead. Then, in a puzzling turn of events, he missed a relatively straightforward wedge shot into the water on No. 13 for another double bogey.
With the win, McIlroy became the first player ever to win The Masters with four double bogeys or worse during a single tournament. Craig Stadler won in 1982 with three doubles, according to Justin Ray.
Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images
McIlroy responded to all of his setbacks admirably. He fired a masterful 66 in the second round to rebound from the two double bogeys on Thursday and get up toward the top of the leaderboard.
On Sunday, the five-time major champion responded to his opening double to still shoot under par on the first nine. After the double on 13, McIlroy hit one of the best iron shots you’ll ever see on No. 15 to set up a birdie before throwing another dart for a birdie on No. 17.
McIlroy’s resilience was so admirable throughout the tournament, and now he has a great stat and a Green Jacket to show for it.
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