McIlroy beats Rose in Masters play-off to seal career Grand Slam

Rory McIlroy achieved golfing immortality as he beat Justin Rose in a sudden-death play-off to finally win his first Masters title and complete the career Grand Slam in a hugely dramatic final round at Augusta National.

Having missed a par putt to win in regulation, McIlroy rolled in a three-footer for birdie on the first extra hole to deny his Ryder Cup team-mate and claim the biggest victory of his life.

After his putt found the bottom of the cup, McIlroy collapsed to the ground as the emotions came pouring out at the end of an extraordinary day of sporting theatre.

Having won the US Open, The Open and two US PGA Championships by the end of 2014, McIlroy completes the full set of major championships at the 11th attempt.

Northern Ireland's McIlroy becomes the sixth man - and first European - to clinch the Slam, joining Americans Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods and South Africa's Gary Player.

It is another gut-wrenching Masters defeat for Rose, who also lost to Sergio Garcia in a play-off in 2017, but the 44-year-old Englishman deserves immense credit for bouncing back from a 75 on Saturday to push McIlroy all the way.

"I would say it was 14 years in the making," an emotional McIlroy said, referencing the 2011 Masters when he threw away a four-shot lead in the final round.

"A lot of pent-up emotion came out on the 18th green. A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it."

Holding back the tears, McIlroy added: "I want to say hello to mum and dad back in Northern Ireland. I can't wait to see them next week and can't wait to celebrate with them."

McIlroy's win is both the most significant achievement of his 18-year professional career and the culmination of a journey that has forced him to rebound from a series of major championship heartaches.

It is fitting, too, that it is the most thrilling win of his career given the highs and lows he experienced over the final 18 holes.

For a while, McIlroy threatened to add another to his list of recent near-misses.

Back-to-back 66s gave him a two-shot lead to take into Sunday's final round but a double bogey on the first wiped out his advantage.

However, from there he had three birdies in seven holes as he went four clear with nine to play, but four dropped shots in as many holes from the 11th gave hope to the chasing pack.

And while others faded, 36-hole leader Rose birdied six of his final eight holes to force a play-off and keep alive the 2013 US Open winner's dream of winning the Masters at the 20th attempt.

All week, McIlroy has spoken about his ability to bounce back from setbacks. Key to his approach this week has been seeking advice from renowned sports psychologist Bob Rotella and McIlroy needed to lean heavily on his guidance during a final round that pushed him to the limit.

Leading Bryson DeChambeau by two, McIlroy opened with a double bogey but regrouped to birdie three and four. After four straight pars, he picked up two more shots at nine and 10.

At that point, McIlroy held a commanding four-shot lead as he threatened to pull away from the pack. But after dumping his third at the par-five 13th in the creek, he stumbled to another double bogey - his fourth of the week - and let another shot slip on the 14th.

He regrouped to produce a stunning approach to 15, and while he missed his eagle putt, he followed a birdie with another gain on the 17th following a towering second shot from 196 yards to two feet.

With Rose having birdied the last, McIlroy needed a par on the 18th to win. There was another twist, however, as he blocked his approach into the bunker and failed to sink his six-footer, setting up a play-off with Rose.

But McIlroy shook off one last wobble to deny Rose and set the stage for remarkable scenes on the 18th green as the Northern Irishman soaked in the acclaim and let his emotions flow.

Source: BBC Sport