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Media caption,McIlroy holds nerve to win second successive Masters
ByIain CarterGolf correspondent- Published1 hour ago
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It was nearly 11pm when Rory McIlroy finally emerged from the Augusta National's Grill Room still clad in his Masters Green Jacket.
Four hours earlier he had become only the fourth man to retain the title. From that moment he had been through a whirlwind of presentations, interviews and glad-handing with Augusta members.
But the smile was still as broad as it had been when he tapped in to seal his triumph at a place that, for him, used to be a field of golfing disappointments.
As he sat for his final round of questioning he laughed readily and reflected on the fact that it can get no better than to have the chairman of the club put the jacket back on to his shoulders.
Twelve months earlier it had been Scottie Scheffler who had done the honours but on this occasion there was no beaten champion from the previous year. Tradition dictated that Augusta boss Fred Ridley was given the task.
"It's pretty rare," McIlroy told BBC Sport. "We had to practise it before we went into Butler Cabin because he'd never done it before.
"I said at the end of my speech last year, I'd hopefully see everyone next year where I'm putting the Green Jacket back on myself. I wasn't quite correct there but the next best thing is having the chairman put it on.
"That was that was the goal this week when I drove down Magnolia Lane with the Green Jacket. I wanted to drive back up Magnolia Lane leaving with the Green Jacket again because I've got used to seeing it in my wardrobe."
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Media caption,What did Sir Nick say to Rory?
McIlroy joined Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the only golfers to successfully defend a Masters title. And there was a touching exchange with Faldo after the presentation of the jacket on Sunday evening.
"He came to find me, which I thought was amazing," McIlroy said. "He left me a lovely note.
"He won back-to-back in 1989 and 1990 and I won back-to-back in the 89th and 90th Masters, so a little bit of a tie-in there. It was lovely that Nick came to find me.
"And we have a long history and a long relationship. I've known Nick since I was 12 or 13 years old. So to emulate one of his amazing achievements is very, very special."
McIlroy will enjoy this victory, take the next fortnight off, then return to action before next month's US PGA Championship at Aronimink, near Philadelphia.
After last year's tumultuous win, which gave the 36-year-old the career Grand Slam at the 11th attempt, there was a discernible hangover in the majors that followed.
But having moved alongside Faldo on six majors as Europe's most prolific winner of the biggest titles in the modern era, McIlroy believes he can go on and win more.
"I think last year was the culmination of trying to win the Grand Slam and win the Masters for the first time - win my first major in 10 years," he said.
"It was all of it together. This is obviously amazing. It's my second Green Jacket. It's very cool, but I really don't think I'm going to have the lull or whatever it was I had last year.
"I was trying to figure out, 'OK, what's next?' Because I have been through that I realised what's next is you just keep trying to have more success and keep winning the biggest tournaments."
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'It is a want more than a need at majors'
Over the past four days when McIlroy built a six-stroke advantage at halfway without playing at his very best, he showed a freedom that had eluded him for much of his chase to complete a full set of majors.
"I was glad last year that the whole Grand Slam thing was done because that was what I was chasing," he said.
"And now going forward it's just, you know, everything is icing on the cake or a cherry on top, all gravy, whatever you want to call it.
"But I feel like I can just go and play my game and have a chance to win a lot more majors."
Having watched his absorbing battle with Cameron Young, the plucky and unlucky veteran Justin Rose and world number one Scheffler - who all threatened McIlroy's title defence - it seemed as though he was relishing the contest.
It was less stressful than previous years, more a sporting contest to be enjoyed. "I definitely felt more comfortable in the battle this year on the back nine than last year," McIlroy said.
"It is a want more than a need. I want to win the biggest tournaments in the world. I want to win Ryder Cups. I want to win majors.
"At this point in my career, that is what drives me forward. I think it would have really stung if I hadn't gone on to win this tournament after building such a commanding lead over the first two days.
"It would have stung, but at the same time I would have dusted myself off and I would have come back for the PGA at Aronimink, US Open at Shinnecock or [Open Championship] at Birkdale or whatever.
"But it's such an amazing start to the major season and I can't wait for what lies ahead."
