Rory McIlroy has won his first major since 2014, with the Northern Irishman finally securing his first Green Jacket at the Masters following a thrilling day of play at Augusta that resulted in a dramatic play-off with Justin Rose.
The 35-year-old went into the day two shots ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, with the pressure firmly on his shoulders.
Having missed out on US Open glory to the same opponent last year, some expected McIlroy to collapse and buckle. After all, Augusta has been a difficult course for the golf star in the past and he could have been forgiven for feeling the heat.
Yet McIlroy has always insisted he believes in himself and despite being forced to do it via a play-off, was able to fend off competition from Rose to etch his name into the history books.
Rory McIlroy has won his first major since 2014, with the Northern Irishman beating Justin Rose to win the Masters at Augusta
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He has now achieved a career Grand Slam, something only five others have done over the years.
Gene Sarazen was the first to achieve the feat, with the golf legend doing it between 1922 and 1935. Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are also part of that elite club.
McIlroy was emotional in the immediate aftermath of his triumph. His first Green Jacket, after so many years of trying, is the crowning moment of his career, with the Northern Irishman breaking down in tears as he embraced caddie Harry Diamond.
It was never going to be easy. The play-off, after missing a putt to put the contest to bed earlier on, was undoubtedly the toughest moment of his career.
His second shot was outstanding, however, one that will be remembered for many years. With Rose unable to convert, McIlroy fully capitalised to spark emotional scenes around the course.
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The golf star broke down in tears, the weight of the world now off his shoulders.
At the start of the day, there did seem to be some apprehension from the British sporting legend.
The fourth session started badly, with the putter squandering his early lead as DeChambeau started the better of the pair.
The charismatic American, in typical fashion, attempted to use the crowd as fuel against his rival - engaging in numerous high fives to ramp up the atmosphere.
Things changed in the third round once again, however, with DeChambeau only able to bogey. Another bogey in the fourth derailed the 31-year-old further, with McIlroy opening up a three-shot lead retake control.
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Rory McIlroy produced some stunning shots as the golf star finally won the Masters
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For a while, that remained the case.
Both players pulled off some sublime shots, with McIlroy able to survive a shocking hit on the fifth to retain his advantage.
At the halfway stage on the final day, the Briton pulled off a birdie to further boost his chances of glory with DeChambeau falling six points behind by the 12th.
Justin Rose, Patrick Reed and Ludvig Aberg were all able to climb above the 31-year-old, as well as defending champion Scottie Scheffler.
Out of the chasing pack, it was Rose who started to establish himself as the secondary contender.
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As his opponent upped the heat several notches, drawing level at -11, with McIlroy doing himself no favours as the nerves started to creep in.
It was, after all, never going to be straightforward. This is Rory. A disastrous shot on the 13th set him back, with the horrors of years gone by undoubtedly playing on his mind.
Rose even went ahead. Then McIlroy did the same. Then they were level.
Then, finally, McIlroy was given the chance to win the Green Jacket. He missed his putt on the 18th, however, resulting in the play-off with Rose.
The rest is history already, however. Rose was unable to putt and McIlroy stepped up with the Green Jacket at stake.
Rory McIlroy fended off competition from Justin Rose to win the Masters on Sunday night
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He wouldn't blow it this time. McIlroy may have looked like he had the world on his shoulders but his performance, when it mattered most, said otherwise.
History has been made. McIlroy deserves his place among the golfing gods and more majors will potentially follow with his drought now over.
