Rory McIlroy has admitted that he struggles to even watch replays of his win over Justin Rose in their Masters play-off. McIlroy had a putt to win his first green jacket, complete the Career Grand Slam and end his 11-year wait for a major title within 72 holes, but his short-range miss meant that his and everyone else’s nerves were put to the test.
The Northern Irishman gathered himself to hit a perfect drive and a stunning approach shot before one-putting for birdie, which was good enough for victory after Rose made par. Now, more than a week later, McIlroy still finds the emotions of the occasion difficult to comprehend.
When asked about what it would have been like if he lost the play-off, having spurned so many other opportunities to end his major drought in recent years, he said: “I don’t even want to think about that.
“It is hard for me to even watch it back. Just the feelings… aargh. Still. I think back to the play-off and don’t know how I hit those three shots. I don’t have a clue. It will be the hardest round of golf I’ll ever have to play. I’m glad I have it behind me.”
Although the Augusta victory put McIlroy on an illustrious list of those to have won all four majors, with only five other golfers, he insists it hasn’t led to a significant mood change towards the sport.
“It’s another really big tournament, one I had wanted to win for a long time and hadn’t been able to do it so there is a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction,” explained the 35-year-old.
“That is really nice but I don’t feel different. I didn’t expect to feel different. I am glad of the experience and glad to have got through it.”
McIlroy spent a week celebrating with friends and family in London and Belfast, but he is now back in the States for the Zurich Classic – a team event in which he has paired up with good friend Shane Lowry to defend the title they won last year.
The whirlwind few days left McIlroy feeling under the weather, and he ‘could hardly get out of bed’ when he woke up with a cold on Monday. But joining forces with Lowry, who celebrated his Masters win, was one of his primary motivations for pushing through.
