IF AT FIRST YOU FAIL THEN TRY, TRY AGAIN

Mcllroy never gave up on dream and that was essence of victory

- Neil McLeman

IN the Augusta twilight at the end of a brilliant day, Rory McIlroy fought back tears again.

After winning a nerve-shredding play-off to claim The Masters — and complete bis career Grand Slam — the Northern Irishman dropped to his knees on the hallowed turf of the 18th green and sobbed with a mix of relief and joy.

Then during the presentation ceremony by the clubhouse, watched by rows of the austere Green Jacketed members, the new champion’s eloquent acceptance speech stalled with raw emotion when addressing his family.

“They have been on this journey with me the whole way through,” said Mcllroy. “They know the burden I’ve carried to come here every year to try and try and try again.”

He then spoke directly to his fouryearold daughter sitting in the front row, saying: “The one thing I would say to Poppy here, ‘Never give up on your dreams. Never ever give up on them. Keep coming back. Keep working hard. And if you put your mind to it, you can do anything’. Love you.”