Rory McIlroy had a two-shot lead going into the last round of the 2025 Masters on Sunday and was pushed all the way to a sudden-death play-off by England's Justin Rose.
McIlroy showed incredible nerve with the promise of a first Masters title and a career Grand Slam sprawling out before him on the 18th green at the famous Augusta National Golf Club.
With the shadow of the last day of the 2011 Masters looming large in the sunshine of Georgia, the Northern Irishman birdied the first play-off hole to end the weekend being fitted for his very own green jacket and with a whole host of Masters winner's perks to his name.
Advert
There are calls back home for McIlroy to be knighted for his Grand Slam achievement and the King has congratulated the 35-year-old after his nerve-jangling triumph.
Northern Ireland's First Minister and deputy Prime Minister have added their voices to a richly deserved congratulatory chorus, as has President of the United States of America and terrific golfer Donald Trump.
"I have to congratulate Rory" said Trump, as quoted by the Belfast Telegraph.
Advert
"That took tremendous courage. He was having a hard time, but it showed great guts and stamina and courage.
"People have no idea how tough that is. He came back.
"It’s better for him that it happened that way because that showed real courage to have come back from what could've been a tragedy – it was amazing.
"Justin Rose was great. Look, they're great athletes under tremendous pressure. But unless you're a golfer, you don't understand that hundredth of an inch makes a difference between a great shot and a horrible shot.”
Advert
The new Masters champion has been praised all over the world in the aftermath of his win at Augusta.
But the acknowledgement of Buckingham Palace, Stormont and even the White House can't match the emotional scenes after the play-off hole on Sunday.
The relief and pride were obvious, and never more so than when a tearful McIlroy was greeted by his friend Shane Lowry.
Advert
Trump might be right that only golfers really know what it feels like to play a game of millimetres in the searing heat of the spotlight, but McIlroy and Lowry shared an embrace we can all understand.
Topics: Golf, Rory Mcilroy, Donald Trump
Chris Nee