McIlroy: There were points where I didn't know if I'd complete career slam

Rory McIlroy admits he felt just about every emotion possible during a roller-coaster Sunday at Augusta National, which culminated with the Northern Irishman winning the Masters to complete the elusive career grand slam.

"There were points in my career where I didn't know if I would have (the green jacket) over my shoulders," McIlroy said following the victory.

He later added: "There was points on the back nine today I thought, 'How did I let this slip again?' But I responded with some clutch shots when I needed to. Really proud of myself for that. It's been an emotionally draining week."

McIlroy squandered a four-shot lead after a four-hole stretch in which he went 4-over par. He made bogeys on 11 and 14 and a disastrous double-bogey on 13 in which he splashed a 90-yard approach into Rae's Creek.

Epic birdies on 15 and 17 gave McIlroy a chance to close out the Masters with a par on the 72nd hole, but he missed a five-foot par putt after his approach found the sand. He won on the first playoff hole with a birdie after stuffing his approach within two feet.

"I didn't make it easy today. I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I've ever had on the golf course," he said. "In a funny way, I feel like the double-bogey at the first (hole) sort of settled my nerves."

The victory marks McIlroy's first major championship since the 2014 PGA Championship. He heard all the noise and felt all the pressure about whether he'd be able to become the sixth man ever to win all four majors.

"I've carried that burden since August 2014," McIlroy said. "It's been nearly 11 years. I'm not just about winning my next major, but the career grand slam, trying to join a group of five players to do it, watching a lot of my peers get green jackets in the process, it's been difficult."

Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Gene Sarazen are the only other players to accomplish the feat.

McIlroy came within striking distance of capturing the green jacket on numerous occasions, garnering top-five finishes at Augusta in 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2022.

Several heartbreaking finishes at other majors - including the 2024 U.S. Open - make this victory extra sweet for Rory.

"It's a dream come true," McIlroy said. "I've dreamt about that moment for as long as I could remember."