Rory McIlroy’s US Masters triumph at Augusta has been described as a marvellous national occasion and a moment in time that everyone will remember.
Leaders from across the island have been paying tribute to the man from Holywood, Co Down.
McIlroy ended his major drought in barely believable fashion by beating Justin Rose in a play-off to win the 89th Masters and complete the career grand slam.
The win makes McIlroy the first player in a quarter of a century to complete the career grand slam and match the feats of Gene Sarazen (completed in 1935), Ben Hogan (1953), Gary Player (1965), Jack Nicklaus (1966) and Tiger Woods (2000).
President Michael D Higgins hailed McIlroy’s win as a “truly outstanding achievement”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described it as a “finish for the ages”.
Speaking this morning, he described McIlroy’s win as a marvellous national occasion and a moment in time that everyone will remember.
He said his family WhatsApp was going “hell for leather” as they watched the action last night.
“I was reminded of George Hamilton and Packie Bonner and ‘a nation holds its breath’.
“Well, we were holding our breath every five minutes for a good few hours yesterday.
“Actually holding our breath on every putt and every tee shot but it was a tremendous occasion. It was a moment in time we will all remember.”
The Taoiseach said last night was a fantastic win for Rory McIlroy but it was also a great lesson in life.
“It’s a triumph over adversity. It is resilience in the most raw way demonstrated last evening.”
The Fianna Fáil leader said young people should watch and learn that life is about taking on challenges.
“To have an Irish man joining five others in the Pantheon of Greats in golf is a moment of pride for the nation.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris also posted his congratulations.
“A first Masters and a career Grand Slam means he joins some of the very greatest to have ever played the game,” he said.
“A proud day for him, his family and for Ireland.”
An emotional McIlroy fought back tears as he reflected on finally winning the Masters.
“It feels incredible. This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time,” McIlroy said before being presented with the green jacket by defending champion Scottie Scheffler.
“The last 10 years coming here with the burden of the Grand Slam on my shoulder and trying to achieve it, I wonder what we’re going to talk about going into next year.
“Everybody is in bits. We’re so delighted for him.”
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill said people are “bursting with pride” at McIlroy’s success.
She promised a formal welcome home for the golfing hero, describing him as an “ambassador” for Northern Ireland.
“He speaks so loudly to all young people out there that if you have a dream, that you can achieve it.
“When you look at Rory’s journey over many, many years, all the setbacks, and he kept going back at it and back at it.
“So yes, we should have a huge party.
“I certainly will raise that with the Sports Minister, but I want to welcome him home in the best possible style that we can to show him that we are proud of what he has achieved.
“He’s an ambassador for us.”
Stormont Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she was “absolutely delighted” for McIlroy.
“This is an incredible achievement and he truly has made Northern Ireland proud on the international stage,” she posted.
“The way he held his nerve to win it and finally get the green jacket, and to complete the career Grand Slam is remarkable.”
Ms Little-Pengelly said she was already looking forward to seeing McIlroy on home fairways in the summer when the Open Championship returns to Northern Ireland.
“The reception when he steps onto the first tee at Royal Portrush in July will be incredible,” she said.
“Hopefully, he can give the home fans plenty to cheer as he bids to win a second Open Championship.”
Three-time Major winner Pádraig Harrington said he hopes McIlroy will take time to enjoy and savour this moment.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, the Dubliner said his former Ryder cup teammate has been the best player for the last 14 and so there is an awful lot on him in these competitions, but “he has a serious amount of talent”.
Harrington said he met McIlroy for dinner a few weeks ago and said he was very comfortable and relaxed with himself, adding that he knew this was his big chance, but knowing that you have that chance and then taking it is one of the hardest things to do.
“We’re so proud – this is immense for Holywood Golf Club,” he said.
Holywood GC Lady Captain Ruth Watt said plans will be made to welcome the Masters champion once they know when he is due back home.
“There’s a lot of people in Holywood who have nothing to do with golf, don’t understand golf but being a local lad and his mum and dad in Holywood, it’s just the cherry on the cake”, she said.
Speaking on the same programme, Ms Watt said one bakery in town has put his photo on their biscuits this morning.
She said the atmosphere in the golf club last night was electric and they experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows.
She said the demands on Rory’s parents, Gerry and Rosie, would have been huge, and they did the very sensible thing and enjoyed it privately.
“I want to say hello to my mum and dad, they’re back in Northern Ireland and I can’t wait to celebrate this next week with them,” he said.
Former lady captain Paula Denvir said she kept faith that Holywood’s most famous son would prevail in the end.
“It was so well deserved and we’re all just so proud, we’re just so made up for him,” she said.
“He just deserved this so much. There were tears of joy all over the place tonight and there was stunned silence too. Everybody is in bits. We’re so delighted for him. It was brilliant.
“I’d every confidence in him, I don’t know what it was about this year, I just thought ‘he’ll do this, this was it’. And I’m really glad he proved me right. I’m so delighted.
“For Holywood this is unbelievable. He’s always been there, he’s always been an ambassador, he’s always been a supporter of the club. He has supported everything, he’s supported charities, my charity last year – The Friends of the Cancer Centre.
“He’s just an unbelievable ambassador for everywhere – for Holywood, for Northern Ireland, for Ireland, just across the board. And everybody should be just so proud.”
