Rory McIlroy was compelled right into a change of plans instantly after successful the Masters.
Rory McIlroy secured Masters glory for the second 12 months in a row (Picture: Getty)
Rory McIlroy admitted {that a} rule change on the Masters caught him out shortly after he defended his title. The person from Northern Eire made historical past by successful golf’s most prestigious match for the second 12 months in a row. He secured a one-shot victory over runner-up Scottie Scheffler to assert the £3.5million jackpot and retain the celebrated Inexperienced Jacket.
The outcome noticed McIlroy be part of Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus within the unique membership of repeat champions at Augusta Nationwide. Normally, the Masters winner is offered with their Inexperienced Jacket by the outgoing champion on the winner’s ceremony. Nonetheless, on condition that McIlroy went back-to-back, he was left in an uncommon scenario.
Again in 1966, when Nicklaus turned the primary man to defend his Masters title, there was no person to face behind him and no clear precedent. In consequence, he determined to place the Inexperienced Jacket on himself.
McIlroy had been vocal about eager to do the identical, however he was prevented by a current rule change. Now, the Augusta chairman is required to deputise within the absence of a earlier champion.
Fred Ridley did the honours for McIlroy, who later admitted that he was caught quick by not having the ability to put the jacket on himself.
“It nonetheless suits, which is good,” stated the 36-year-old. “My parting message final 12 months was: ‘I am unable to wait to return again subsequent 12 months and put the Inexperienced Jacket on myself’.
“I wasn’t fairly right, as a result of the chairman did it, however I did wish to come again right here and show final 12 months wasn’t a fluke.”
Fred Ridley did the honours for McIlroy on the winner’s ceremony (Picture: Getty)
A number of champions can solely get one Inexperienced Jacket, which means McIlroy did not obtain a second for successful the Masters twice. He’ll get to maintain it for 12 months earlier than handing it again to the clubhouse at subsequent 12 months’s match, until he prevails as soon as once more.
McIlroy additionally stated that he was hungry for extra success at Augusta within the coming years, having loved the candy style of victory on two events.
“It took me 10 years to win my fifth main, after which my sixth one’s come fairly quickly after it,” he stated. “I’m not placing a quantity on it however I actually don’t wish to cease right here.”
Reflecting on the feelings of his newest triumph, he added: “When the ball trickled by and I marked it there from two inches or no matter [at the last], I simply appeared behind the inexperienced as a result of I noticed my mum and pop and Erica [his wife] and Poppy [his daughter].
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“I used to be similar to: ‘I can’t imagine I’ve simply accomplished it once more’. Not as emotional [as last year], however simply, wow, it’s superb. I can’t imagine I did it once more.”
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