But finally, McIlroy has claimed his green jacket. It took him 72 holes plus a one-hole playoff against Justin Rose, it took him multiple collapses and resuscitations, but at last, McIlroy is a Masters champion, once again a major winner, and now one of the six men with a career grand slam, the first since Tiger Woods in 2000.

By the time he collapsed into the arms of friends by the clubhouse, the accumulated emotion was spilling out. When he finally emerged tearfully from the scrum, he ran his fingers through his hair and let out a guttural yelp of happiness. Then he broke into a wide smile. “Right,” he said, “I have to go get a green jacket.”

McIlroy joined golf's exclusive list becoming just the second man in the last half century to win all four major championships