Rory McIlroy relieved to finally lift decade-long ‘burden’ with dramatic Masters win

• Long wait to complete career grand slam has been tough, he says
• Major drought since 2014 has been a heavy weight to carry'

Rory McIlroy reflected on the lifting of a burden" lasting more than a decade after winning the Masters in dramatic fashion at Augusta National. McIlroy's defeat of Justin Rose on the first sudden death hole means he has become just the sixth player in history to win the career grand slam.

McIlroy needed the Masters to complete his set of majors since winning the US PGA Championship of 2014. He had not added to his major tally, then four, between that Valhalla success and this one at the Masters.