Tearful McIlroy completes Grand Slam with Masters victory

Rory McIlroy became just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam after he snapped an 11-year major win drought by pipping Justin Rose to the Masters title with a birdie on the first playoff hole on Sunday.

The Northern Irishman would have avoided the sudden-death playoff had he sunk his five-foot par putt at the 19^th during regulation play. This came after a back-nine stumble which saw the 35-year-old lose a four-shot lead but fought his way back into contention again with birdies on 15 and 17.

"It's the best day of my golfing life. I'm very proud of myself for never giving up and always fighting back,” said an emotional McIlroy, who knelt down and cried on the 18^th green after seeing his birdie putt dropped on the playoff hole.

"The last 10 years coming here with the burden of the Grand Slam on my shoulders and trying to achieve that, I'm sort of wondering what we're all going to talk about going into next year's Masters.”

“This is my 17th time here. I was wondering if it would ever be my time. I'm thrilled and so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion."

With his win, McIlroy joined Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan as the only players to win all four majors.