Golf star Shane Lowry has revealed how Rory McIlroy admitted he could retire happy now he has finally won The Masters.
The Northern Irishman defeated England's Justin Rose in a nail-biting play-off on Sunday to complete his career Grand Slam.
At 35, McIlroy has now joined an elite group of only six men to have won all four major championships in golf.
The emotional victory marks the end of a 14-year quest that began when he surrendered a four-shot lead in 2011.
Shane Lowry is one of Rory McIlroy's closest pals and opened up about his potential retirement
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McIlroy endured a rollercoaster final round at Augusta, having started the day two strokes ahead of the field.
The lead slipped away as he found himself tied with Rose at the conclusion of regulation play.
It was a case of 17th-time lucky for the Northern Irishman, who clinched the title with a decisive birdie on the 18th hole during the play-off.
Rose could only manage a par, leaving McIlroy to celebrate his long-awaited Masters triumph.
The victory sparked emotional scenes on the 18th green as years of near-misses finally came to an end.
Close friend Shane Lowry has revealed the significance of this victory to McIlroy, revealing that the Grand Slam winner told him he could happily retire.
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"It's all he thinks about. It's all he talks about. Always said to me he'd retire a happy man if he won the Green Jacket," Lowry disclosed.
"I told Erica [Stoll] he can retire now," he added, referring to McIlroy's wife.
With this Masters triumph, McIlroy joins the exclusive club of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only men to complete a career Grand Slam.
Lowry embraced McIlroy after the victory, emphasising its importance.
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Rory McIlroy finally ended his long wait for the Grand Slam with victory at The MastersReuters"I think, for him, it's been everything," Lowry said. "You know, he might not have wanted to say that, but it's genuinely been everything for him over the last 10 years."
In his winning interview, McIlroy became emotional when mentioning his parents.
"I want to say hello to my mom and dad, they're back home in Northern Ireland..." he said, briefly pausing as he teared up.
"They did. And I can't wait to see them next week. I just can't wait to celebrate this with them."
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Rory McIlroy was full of emotion after finally winning The MastersReutersMcIlroy's victory earned him a substantial £3.1 million from the £15.9m prize pot.
The taxman, however, will be claiming a substantial portion of his Augusta winnings.
He clinched the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, followed by the Players Championship just last month.
Given this impressive run of form, the World No. 2 will surely have his sights set on further glory rather than hanging up his clubs just yet.
