Although he left the charge too late, Rory McIlroy still produced an unbelievable Sunday charge, with the 32-year-old shooting an eight-under-par final round for a runner-up finish, his best ever result at The Masters.
At one point, McIlroy was 13 shots back of eventual winner, Scottie Scheffler. However, a stupendous final round vaulted him from one-over-par to seven-under-par.
What a way to finish. McIlroy holes out on No. 18 to put pressure on the leader. #themasters pic.twitter.com/L5fWWbR9cjApril 10, 2022
Speaking after his final round, the four-time Major winner stated: "It's what you dream about, right?" Adding: "You dream about getting yourself in position. I wasn't quite close enough to the lead, I don't think. Scottie is playing really, really well. To play as well as I did today and then to finish like this, I mean, it's just absolutely incredible. This tournament never ceases to amaze.
"That's as happy as I've ever been on a golf course right there. Just having a chance, and then with Collin. We both played so well all day, and for both of us to finish like this, I was just so happy for him too. That was an incredible -- I've never heard roars like on the 18th green. It was really cool."
Paired with good friend, Collin Morikawa, both men produced fine final day performances, with the American constructing a five-under-par total that was the joint second best round of the day.
Morikawa celebrates following his hole-out bunker shot at the 18th
His round was three shots worse than his playing partner, McIlroy. However, the pair were a combined 13-under-par! with McIlroy explaining: "That's what makes golf so cool.
"We're competitors out there, but at the same time we're friends, and we travel around with each other every week. Collin is a great guy. It was a great pairing for me today, and happy that we both played well."
Despite the round of the day, McIlroy would end up in the runner-up position, finishing just shy of World No.1, Scottie Scheffler, who displayed some stunning golf over the last four days at Augusta National.
However, McIlroy isn't phased, with the quest for a Green Jacket still clearly on his mind: "I went out there today, shot my best ever score at Augusta and I'm probably -- it's going to be my best finish ever. Probably not quite good enough, but I'll come back next year and keep trying."
