Justin Rose has admitted that he wanted to be the 'bad guy' on Sunday - but had nothing but positive things to say about Rory McIlroy after missing out on Masters glory.
With both players posting scores of -11, it was left to a dramatic play-off to decide this year's winner of the Green Jacket.
McIlroy had bottled the chance to secure glory earlier in the day when he missed a putt at the 18th hole.
But he was able to overcome Rose at Augusta to achieve the career Grand Slam, joining an elite club consisting of just five other players in the process.
Justin Rose has admitted that he wanted to be the 'bad guy' on Sunday - but had nothing but positive things to say about Rory McIlroy after missing out on Masters glory
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Rose performed brilliantly, having soared up the leaderboard after posting 10 birdies.
And the Englishman hailed McIlroy after the 35-year-old's stunning victory, while also opening up on what he said to his rival.
"I just said to him this is a historic moment in golf. It’s pretty cool to share that moment with him," he said.
"I wanted to be the bad guy today but it’s a momentous occasion for the game of golf."
Rose has now suffered play-off pain for the second time.
The golfer previously lost to Sergio Garcia at the 2017 Masters.
However, Rose still appeared to be in good spirits with the 44-year-old taking his defeat on the chin.
As for McIlroy, the Northern Irishman is a player on top of the world after finally achieving the career Grand Slam.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy calls out Tiger Woods and three other golf legends after securing Masters glory
Justin Rose pushed Rory McIlroy all the way at the Masters on Sunday
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Speaking following his blockbuster win, he admitted that he was keen to 'keep going' as he chases more majors in the coming years ahead.
"I have thought about it a lot and I dreamed one day this would happen but to have your name mentioned alongside those greats of the game," he said.
"It is hard to put into words. I wasn't thinking about that out there, I was thinking about winning a golf tournament and that is hard to do anyway.
"The burden and baggage of what I carry into this tournament each and every year, to be able to shed all of that after today is amazing.
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"It has been a lot. Coming in here and pretty much being the centre of attention at The Masters every time you tee it up and not in a good way, in a pretty pressure-packed way.
"Each and every year that I have come here I have learned how to handle that burden a little bit better.
"I wish I had done it sooner- it took me a little time to figure it out. Thankfully I was able to get over the line in the end.
"You can't win all four majors in a year if you haven't won the first one. There is a lot more golf to play this year and the next major is at Quail Hollow which is somewhere I have loved for the most part of my career.
Justin Rose managed 10 birdies at the Masters on Sunday but it still wasn't enough to beat Rory McIlroy
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"The Open at Port Rush, the Ryder Cup at Bethpage- there is a lot of golf left and I have gotten off to a great start.
"I can't wait to keep it going."
