Rory McIlroy finally slayed his personal demons, capturing a Masters title at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday. He did so in thrilling fashion, beating Justin Rose in a playoff.
Immediately after sinking the winning putt, McIlroy fell to his knees as emotion poured out of the Northern Irishman. However, after he had time to collect himself, and don the Green Jacket, he spoke with the media.
McIlroy addressed several topics, but one came as a big surprise to everyone.
“What came out of me on the last green there in the playoff was, you know, at least 11 years, if not 14 years, of pent-up emotion,” McIlroy said.
“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. 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.”
The 2011 Masters that the 35-year-old referenced was a memory he would like to forget.
McIlroy held the Masters lead at Augusta 14 years ago, only to collapse during his final 18. He shot a final round 80 that Sunday to plummet to 15th on the leaderboard. It wasn’t quite the same as Greg Norman’s infamous falter.
In 1996, Norman led the Masters by six strokes entering the final day. He ultimately finished second to Nick Faldo in what is known as the epic collapse. But it was one that many golf fans remember vividly.
Cabrera was a controversial figure at this year’s Masters Tournament. He recently spent 30 months in South American prisons after being convicted of domestic violence charges against multiple former girlfriends.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley addressed the topic during his pre-tournament press conference, saying plainly that he paid his due to society and is a former Green Jacket winner. So, why wouldn’t he be invited?
Cabrera won the 2009 Masters Tournament in a playoff over Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell. In doing so, he became the first South American champion at Augusta National.
Now, McIlroy is the first European-born player to win the grand slam.
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