Rory McIlroy wins Masters and completes career Grand Slam after epic Justin Rose battle

has won to end his 11-year wait for a major title. In doing so, the 35-year-old solidified himself as an all-time great by becoming only the sixth player in history to complete the career Grand Slam.

He needed a play-off to beat Justin Rose after a topsy-turvy final round which threatened to dish out another dose of unbearable heartbreak. McIlroy has been forced to swallow more than his fair share of near-misses since his last major triumph in 2014, but he showed immense mental toughness to claim his first green jacket after missing a six-foot putt for victory on his 72nd hole of the tournament.

McIlroy re-emerged for his 73rd - mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted - and produced three perfect shots to get over the line. He has now won The Open, the US Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, entering him into an exclusive club alongside Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen.

The Northern Irishman started one of the most dramatic final rounds in Masters history by surrendering his two-shot overnight lead over Bryson DeChambeau with a double bogey on the first.

DeChambeau's challenge ended when he found the water on the 11th, but Rose, who woke up on Sunday seven shots behind McIlroy, racked up birdies relentlessly and holed a monster putt on the 18th to card a 66 and lay down a gauntlet to the rest of the field.

McIlroy's ball got wet after what should have been a routine pitch onto the 13th green. And he missed a short putt for victory which brought Rose back into the equation.

But for each mishap, there was an equal amount of magical moments from the now-five-time major winner in a remarkable round. Mesmerising approach shots on the 15th and 17th were roared on by the Augusta patrons, but the scenes after McIlroy holed out in the play-off were off the charts as he collapsed to the ground and burst into tears with a look of sheer relief on his face.

McIlroy came into the tournament under the weight of great expectations, having picked up two PGA Tour victories early in the season. Hopes were even higher when he surged into an overnight lead ahead of the final round, and he finally took the pressure off his shoulders with a sweet victory on a final day which will live long in the memory.