00:00Rory McIlroy make history and in the process achieve his lifelong ambition of winning the
00:07Masters at Augusta and thus completing a career grand slam of the four majors
00:12tournaments. It may very well go down as one of the most dramatic sporting achievements ever
00:18and in the end it came down to a three-foot putt.
00:21Rory McIlroy is only the sixth player to ever win a career grand slam and the first from Europe.
00:49It puts him in the global league of all-time golfing greats and world leaders have been among
00:55the first to congratulate him today. The King said congratulations Rory McIlroy on your historic
01:02win. The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins called it a truly outstanding achievement while
01:08US President Donald Trump said McIlroy showed real courage to have come back from what could have been
01:14a tragedy. It was amazing he said. Well we'll be in Rory's native Hollywood in County Down shortly
01:21but first from Augusta here's Stephen Watson.
01:24This was quite simply one of the most thrilling sporting events ever witnessed. Rory McIlroy etching
01:36his name into the golfing record books with an extraordinary performance. The 35 year old from
01:42Hollywood delivered a Hollywood movie worthy script. The lead of the Masters tournament shifted dramatically
01:49all day long before Rory clinched a legendary victory in a playoff against England's Justin Rose.
02:00He's finally done it. Masters champion. The magical moment when Rory McIlroy made history.
02:08After so many near misses, the elation and the relief was there for all to see.
02:23Hugs for Harry Diamond, his lifelong friend and caddy. And then tears of joy.
02:31Many of those closest to Rory were there to enjoy this unforgettable occasion.
02:49Then the presentation of the item Rory McIlroy has wanted his entire life.
02:55I go back to watching this tournament with my father when I was seven and eight years old.
03:11Watching Tiger Woods do what he did in 1997. That was my inspiration to to try to become what I am today.
03:18And to think that that I'm up here wearing one of those green jackets is honestly it's a dream come true.
03:25Like my my dreams have been made today.
03:32It has been a day of incredible drama.
03:39Rory serves to a commanding four shot lead at one point thanks to some brilliant golf.
03:45You're kidding me.
03:47That might be the shot that does it.
03:50Only to see his advantage slip away in the gripping final stages.
03:58But he responded with some spectacular golf.
04:07In a heart-pounding climax.
04:09It was a breathtaking performance enjoyed by a fellow Irish major champion.
04:18Genuinely done everything for him over the last 10 years.
04:21You know since he obviously wanted to win this to get the career grand slam.
04:25I think it's it's huge. It's huge for Irish golf. It's huge for everyone.
04:28And I'm delighted for him and a very proud of him.
04:32This was a defining day in Rory McIlroy's life.
04:37My family. My team.
04:50They've been on this journey with me the whole way through.
04:54They know the burden that I've carried to come here every year and try and try and try again.
05:00The one thing I would say to my daughter Poppy that's sitting over there.
05:04Never give up on your dreams.
05:06Never ever give up on your dreams.
05:08Well it certainly was a very emotional occasion as Rory fulfilled his lifelong ambition.
05:21The final piece of that grand slam puzzle complete.
05:25And it was a pleasure to catch up with him last night inside the Augusta National Clubhouse.
05:31Rory McIlroy, Masters Champion. How does that sound and how does it feel to be wearing that green jacket?
05:38It feels pretty good. It feels like it's been a long time coming.
05:43You know it's been you know I've been coming here for 17 years.
05:48I had my first real chance at winning this 14 years ago. It didn't quite happen that day.
05:53And then for the last 10 years coming here and trying to complete the grand slam.
05:57Some years I handled it well. Some years I didn't. But you know thankfully finally I was able to get over the line.
06:04You told me as a young boy 25 years ago that this was your dream to win all four majors.
06:10So what's it like to be standing here today to have achieved it?
06:15Yeah it's incredible. You know I think you know when you're 10 years old you don't you don't know what
06:22you're saying but um there was something in there like my you know I feel incredibly fortunate and
06:29grateful and you know my mom and dad I wish they were here to celebrate with me tonight but hopefully
06:35I'll see them in a couple days time and uh you know we're gonna you know we're there it's it's just
06:41it's amazing. I you know there was probably times in my life where I thought that this was never
06:48gonna happen and you know there's a few low points you know driving out of Magnolia Lane on Sunday
06:53nights and it's not happening but um to finally get finally get the job done this year is uh yeah
07:01it's just it's unbelievably satisfying and uh it's just such a such a special. And what does it mean to
07:07have won the career Grand Slam? You are now a golfing great for all time. You can come back to Augusta for
07:14the rest of your life? Yeah there was only five other players in history that have that have done it you
07:20know and they're all you know Jack, Tiger, Gary Player, Gene Cyrus and Ben Hogan. I mean they're the
07:26creme de la creme of golf and um to think that I've been able to put my name alongside theirs.
07:34Yeah you know I I said uh had a little reception with the members and I said I'm going to be going
07:39to that champion's dinner every Tuesday night and they're going to have to wheel me out of here when
07:43I'm 90 years old. How much pressure does this lift off you now with lots more majors to come in
07:50particular one back home this summer in Northern Ireland or on for us? I think you know I
07:57I really do think it's going to it's going to free me up in these things um it's been a long time
08:02coming you know it's been over 10 years since I won a major championship um and then especially doing
08:08this and then getting the getting the masters the career Grand Slam the fifth you know getting all that
08:14like out of the way um you know I think it will will allow me to play with a lot more freedom um
08:21especially going back I mean I can't wait to go to back to Portrush in July um with with this in
08:28tow. What does this mean do you think for your family for your mum and dad who you'll be hoping
08:32to see soon for your team around you for Harry your caddy? And I think for my mum and dad
08:38hopefully it doesn't change anything you know I hope they were proud of me before this and I hope they're
08:42proud of me now but um I'm yeah look I you know as the years go by you cherish more and more your time
08:53with them and for them to be able to see me do this you know that that that means a great deal
08:58you know I'm very proud of where I'm from and every time I go back I I realize that more and more um and
09:06I can't wait to to get back and celebrate with with everyone that I that I know and love there.
09:11That will be a very special homecoming for Rory McIlroy. Now the greatest sporting icon Northern Ireland has ever produced.
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