Carbon’s DP World Tour ambassador Richie Ramsay, like golf fans in Scotland and everywhere else across the planet, was mesmerised by Rory McIlroy’s unforgettable Masters play-off win over Ryder Cup colleague Justin Rose to join the pantheon of golfing greats with a Grand Slam on their CVs.
“Like an estimated 19 million golf fans around the world glued to their televisions, laptops and mobiles phones, it is a moment that will live in the memory forever.
I managed to catch the nerve-tingling closing stages of the will he, won’t he drama at Augusta National.
Usually, I’d have been locked into the tournament for the full four days. It's been that way ever since I was a kid growing up in Aberdeen and, as the US Amateur champion, I enjoyed the privilege of teeing it up at the 2007 Masters won by Zach Johnson.
But this year I was preparing for the Volvo China Open so the time difference wasn’t doing me any favours.
It was crazy. Looking back on it now, it really was a rollercoaster of a day for Rory.
“There are always twists and turns at any Major, but this was something else.
“I couldn't believe he threw in a bogey at the last on 18 with such a short club in his hands. It looked like a huge swing in momentum to Justin and at the play-off hole he struck a lovely shot to the green. He wasn't short but Rory drives it longer and this time he made no mistake and holed that pressure packed three-footer.
It doesn't matter how you do it, a win is a win, and you could see the relief flooding out of him. Those scenes will be iconic.
I know how good Rory’s game is, having played with him since our younger days. I partnered him in a European Team in New Zealand and we played in Home Internationals and other big amateur events.
It’s not just his golf that is impressive, it’s how he deals with constantly being in the media spotlight.
Everyone watching knew exactly what this one meant to him. All the emotions which had built-up over more than a decade came flooding out of him in that moment.
If he had lost from having the tournament in his hands the pressure on Rory would have been extraordinary. Would he ever win the Grand Slam?
I felt for Justin because these chances don't come along every year, although he was runner-up at Troon in The Open last year. He has lost twice in play-offs to miss out on the Green Jacket to go with his US Open win. You'd need a heart of stone not to feel for him after that incredible final round, posting 10 birdies over that golf course – even more so given it was his fifth runner-up spot in a Major.
It was great for British golf and the sport’s profile to see these two battling it out. People who might not engage with golf on a regular basis or who play golf occasionally watch what happens at the Masters. That’s a group golf must target.
It was the most watched Masters in the last 10 years. It is probably my favourite Major to watch.
With the questions finally answered and the Green Jacket secured at long last, there’s a massive weight lifted off Rory’s shoulders. Someone said it was more like a gorilla than a monkey he'd been carrying into the tournament year after year.
If Rory stays injury free, he has plenty of years left to chase other Majors. It could be like the dam breaking.
“Last year Scottie Scheffler was the best player in world golf and by Rory’s own admission he has had to respond to that and lift his own game. Rory is now at a different level.”
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