How McIlroy finally won his greatest battle: with himself

An acceptance of his vulnerabilities became Rory Mcllroy’s superpower in winning at Augusta, writes Jamie Braidwood

- Jamie Braidwood

One of the most important moments in Rory McIlroy’s historic victory at the Masters came before he had even hit a shot: at Augusta, he said, he was ready to have his heart broken all over again. After the ride he had been on in pursuit of the green jacket, and career grand slam, McIlroy reckoned he had already been through the worst of what his sport could throw at him, and it wasn’t so bad. “You dust yourself off and you go again,” McIlroy said last Tuesday. “I think that’s why I’ve become a little more comfortable in laying everything out there and being somewhat vulnerable.”

On Sunday, McIlroy’s acceptance of his vulnerabilities became his greatest strength in finally winning at Augusta. He had a fivefoot putt to win the Masters, and missed. He faced the same nightmare and, in the moment that mattered, it made him stronger.

Returning to the 18th hole and facing Justin Rose in the play-off was another form of the torture McIlroy managed to put himself through over the previous four hours; on the 18th, he was required to hit the same shots on the same hole – he was forced to face his demons again.