Rory's Masters mind is at ease

RORY McILROY believes “defeating my own mind” was key to winning The Masters and will take “nothing but positive vibes” into next week’s US PGA Championship.

- By Phil Casey

Mcllroy’s thrilling victory at Augusta National made him just the sixth male player to complete a career Grand Slam and came on his 11th attempt to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in golf’s most exclusive club.

It was a victory which many observers had doubted would happen, given Mcllroy’s long Major drought, especially after he had failed to convert a two-shot lead late in the final round of last year’s US Open at Pinehurst.

The world No.2 almost squandered a five-shot lead at The Masters with eight holes to play before beating Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose with a birdie on the first play-off hole.