How Rory McIlroy banished his Masters demons

Eighteen years ago, half his lifetime away, Rory McIlroy made his debut as a professional golfer at the British Masters at The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield. The Northern Irish teenager began with a respectable round of 69 and finished 42nd to earn a shade over £10,000. He said he would spend his first pay cheque on taking his then girlfriend to the cinema and put the rest towards buying a house near his mum, ‘so she can still do my washing’.

Late last night, McIlroy won £3.2 million at another Masters, the American major in Augusta, Georgia, taking his career winnings to about £120 million. But the money was the least of his concerns. 

Of far greater value was the £200 green jacket slipped on to his shoulders after McIlroy sealed victory in a play-off. It brought him membership of an exclusive club – only 56 others have won the Masters since it began in 1934 – and the right to choose the menu for next year’s champions dinner.