McIlroy slams the Masters

Joins golf’s Mt. Rushmore

Perhaps it had to come down to this. In a final round that had more twists and turns than the Augusta National Golf Club on which it was played, Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a one-hole playoff to win his first Masters on Sunday. McIlroy birdied the sudden death 18th hole, after placing his approach shot inside of Rose’s, who just missed a short putt that would have kept the tournament going.

Rose led the tournament over the first two rounds but fell back after shooting a 3-over-par 75 on Saturday. All eyes were on McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau, who were in the final pairing in a made-for-television duo. After McIlroy’s double bogey on the first hole and DeChambeau’s strong start to take the lead, the drama seemed to heighten. But DeChameau faltered, McIlroy steadied his nerves and Rose surged to create an exciting finish few anticipated.

McIlroy joins a select group of golfers who have won the sports so-called career Grand Slam: the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Tournament. He becomes the sixth golfer, along with Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Woods to win the slam. Only Hogan won all four tournaments in one year in 1953.

McIlroy, who turns 36 on May 4, had not won a major in 11 years. Meanwhile Rose, 44, has never won the Masters. This is the third time he has finished second at Augusta.

• Report: Rece Davis stays with ESPN after FOX made a run

• Greg Norman: LIV golf will always be a stand alone entity

• WNBA draft tonight. UConn’s Bueckers expected to be first pick

• Rockies off to worse start in franchise history. Shutout for third straight game for the first time. Manage just nine hits total in the three games vs. Padres.

Thank you for subscribing.

DAN