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 before being the presented with the green jacket by 2024 champion Scottie Scheffler, who finished fourth.

"Going out with a four-shot lead in 2011 and feeling like I could have got it done there.

"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.

More to follow.