Golf Ireland has extended its congratulations to Rory McIlroy after his thrilling play-off victory at The Masters, seeing the Holywood native become the first European to claim the career Grand Slam.
McIlroy was made to battle all the way in the final round on Sunday while former Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose emerged from the chasing pack. Rose forced a play-off but it was destiny for McIlroy, who sunk the winning putt before sinking to his knees on the 18th green.
The 35-year-old made history on a number of fronts, also becoming the first Irish golfer to win The Masters, making it his fifth Major title after the US Open (2011), PGA Championship (2012, 2014) and The Open (2014).
“That was such a well-deserved reward for Rory’s incredible talent, hard work and perseverance,” said Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly.
“In doing so, he has now made it 11 Major wins for Irish players since 2007. This is another huge boost for Irish golf at a time when the country is about to host a series of global golf events.
“Rory will hope to make more history at The Open when it returns to Royal Portrush in July, while we also host the Walker Cup in Lahinch next year and then the Ryder Cup in Adare Manor in 2027.
“Witnessing history like Rory’s win at Augusta will help Golf Ireland in our plans to capitalise on the excitement generated by these events.
“Rory’s Grand Slam success will hopefully help to grow golf participation across the island.”
McIlroy had been tipped for greatness since he was 12 while his early amateur career also pointed towards success on the greatest stage.
This week marks the 20th anniversary of his history making win at the West of Ireland in 2005, when he was just 15.
He claimed nine Irish amateur titles including victories at the Irish Boys’ Amateur Championships and Irish Youths Amateur Championships in 2004, before claiming back-to-back wins at the Irish Amateur Close in 2005 and 2006.
That win at the West of Ireland was followed by another in 2006 and he turned professional when he was 18 – the rest is history.
“There has been a buzz around Rory since he was 12. He has played in Ireland in everything as a kid. He played in U-14, U-16 championships, all the way up,” said Golf Ireland Championships and Rules Director, Mark Wehrly.
“He made his big breakthrough 20 years this year, won the West of Ireland and the Irish Close Championship, and even then he was aware that he attracted an awful lot more attention than other people, such was his talent.
“But he was really generous towards people with that. There are so many people who have so many positive memories of Rory from that time. The time he gave them before and after his rounds and even in the way that he would have been warm in his acknowledgement of galleries, whether there was ten people in them or 20,000.
“It was always the same with Rory, he was just brilliant.”
Leave a comment