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.
01:56He'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.
02:59I 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
03:16to try to become what I am today and to think that that I'm up here wearing
03:22one of those green jackets is honestly it's a dream come true. Like my my dreams have been made today.
03:29It had been a day of incredible drama.
03:39Rory serves to a commanding four shot lead at one point thanks to some brilliant golf.
03:45Are you kidding me? That might be the shot that does it.
03:50Only to see his advantage slip away in the gripping final stages.
03:54What on earth was that?
03:57But he responded with some spectacular golf.
04:07In a heart-pounding climax.
04:09Incredible.
04:10It was a breathtaking performance enjoyed by a fellow Irish major champion.
04:18Genuinely done everything for him over the last ten years.
04:21You know since he obviously wanted to win this to get the career grand slam.
04:25I think it's huge. It's huge for Irish golf. It's huge for everyone.
04:28And I'm delighted for him and a great battle.
04:32This was a defining day in Rory McIlroy's life.
04:37My family.
04:39My team.
04:50They've been on this journey with me
04:52the 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.
05:32Rory McIlroy, Masters Champion.
05:34How does that sound and how does it feel to be wearing that green jacket?
05:38It feels pretty good.
05:41It feels like it's been a long time coming.
05:45I've been coming here for 17 years.
05:48I had my first real chance at winning this 14 years ago.
05:51It 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.
05:59Some years I didn't.
06:00But 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.
06:19When you're 10 years old, you don't know what you're saying.
06:23But there was something in there.
06:25Look, I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful.
06:30And my mum and dad, I wish they were here to celebrate with me tonight.
06:34But hopefully I'll see them in a couple of days' time.
06:36And, you know, we're going to, you know, we're there.
06:40It's just, it's amazing.
06:42You know, there was probably times in my life where I thought that this was never going to happen.
06:48And, you know, there was a few low points, you know, driving out of Magnolia Lane on Sunday nights and it not happening.
06:54But to finally get the job done this year is, yeah, it's just, it's unbelievably satisfying and it's just such a special thing.
07:05And what does it mean to have won the career Grand Slam?
07:10You are now a golfing great for all time.
07:12You can come back to Augusta for the rest of your life.
07:15Yeah, there was only five other players in history that have, that have done it.
07:19You know, and they're all, you know, Jack, Tiger, Gary Player, Gene Cyrus and Van Hogan.
07:25I mean, they're the creme de la creme of golf.
07:29And to think that I've been able to put my name alongside theirs, yeah.
07:34You know, I said, I had a little reception with the members and I said,
07:39I'm going to be going to that Champions Dinner every Tuesday night and they're going to have to wheel me out of here when I'm 90 years old.
07:45How much pressure does this lift off you now with lots more majors to come, in particular, one back home this summer in Northern Ireland, DeRoyne-Port, right?
07:55I think, you know, I really do think it's going to, it's going to free me up in these things.
08:01It's been a long time coming, you know, it's been over 10 years since I won a major championship.
08:05And then especially doing this and then getting the, getting the Masters, the career Grand Slam, the fifth, you know, getting all that, like, out of the way.
08:15You know, I think it will, will allow me to play with a lot more freedom, especially going back, I mean, I can't wait to go back to Portrush in July with this in tow.
08:27What does this mean, do you think, for your family, for your mum and dad, who you'll be hoping to see soon, for your team around you, for Harry, your caddy?
08:35And I think for my mum and dad, hopefully it doesn't change anything, you know, I hope they were proud of me before this and I hope they're proud of me now.
08:42But, yeah, look, I, you know, as the years go by, you cherish more and more of your time with them and for them to be able to see me do this, you know, that means a great deal.
08:57You know, I'm very proud of where I'm from and every time I go back, I realise that more and more and I can't wait to get back and celebrate with everyone that I know and love there.
09:10That will be a very special homecoming for Rory McIlroy.
09:15Now, the greatest sporting icon Northern Ireland has ever produced.
