The saying “what’s for you won’t pass you by” is one that Rory McIlroy might have struggled to invest in based on his experiences in his 17 years competing at the Masters, right until the 73rd hole on a monumental Sunday evening in Georgia.
In life, in sport and in a very practical way in golf, timing is everything. It had been 11 years since he last won a major but when he holed that putt on the first playoff hole to win the tournament the dam burst on his emotions, and years of frustration, doubt and disappointment were expelled in a cascade of tears.
A childhood ambition was realised, the coveted green jacket, a Grand Slam of majors and a place in the pantheon of the sport. His win was a testament to perseverance,…