"Around him the galleries, which had grown to empathise with his too-often traumatic pursuit of a green jacket and by consequence, golf's Major Grand Slam, were in ecstasy. As his white Nike ball disappeared, McIlroy fell to his knees and buried his head in the same short cut that had, less than half-an-hour earlier, betrayed him when a putt to win the elusive US Masters in regulation slipped by, forcing a play-off with Justin Rose that he ultimately closed out with that birdie."
"But most will feel magnetism to the swaying fortunes of the Irish soccer team. If ever proof was needed that they are this country's most galvanising sporting product, the reaction to Troy Parrott's third goal in Budapest, his fifth in a week like no other, crystallised it. From bars and airport lounges to even GAA games, the cheers rose in unison to salute the Dubliner's winner. A hat-trick away from home to sink Hungary and keep Irish World Cup qualification hopes alive."
"Rebounding off the canvas comes naturally to McIlroy. For all his vulnerability in those clutch moments, there is incredible steel too that manifested so often on that final day in Augusta. He had been having quite the season up to that point - Dubai, Pebble Beach and the Players Championship. On Masters Sunday morning he was two clear, and by the turn he was in firm command. It couldn't go wrong this time,"
Rory McIlroy secured the Masters title after a missed regulation putt led to a play-off that he ultimately won with a closing birdie. Spectators erupted as McIlroy fell to his knees and buried his head in the short cut, demonstrating both vulnerability and resilience. McIlroy had enjoyed a strong season with victories at Dubai, Pebble Beach and the Players Championship and held firm command during the final round before the playoff. Troy Parrott scored a hat-trick in Budapest and had two goals against Portugal, revitalising Ireland's World Cup qualification hopes after earlier setbacks.
Read at Irish Independent
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