Rory McIlroy Says 'Dreams Do Come True' with Photo of Masters Green Jacket

Rory McIlroy got a Masters-sized monkey off his back on Sunday, finally winning the legendary tournament for the first time and becoming just the sixth golfer in history to complete the career Grand Slam.

On Monday, he summed up what the achievement meant to him while donning the green jacket.

McIlroy joined Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in the elite club of players to have captured all four of the Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship in their careers.

For McIlroy, the pursuit of a green jacket was a long and winding road.

"This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time," he told reporters Sunday. "I think the last 10 years coming here with the burden of the Grand Slam on my shoulders and trying to achieve that, yeah, I'm sort of wondering what we're all going to talk about going into next year's Masters."

He didn't make it easy on himself, missing a number of key putts on the back nine—including a five-footer on the 18th—that would have given him a more comfortable win over Justin Rose.

Instead, the two players settled things in a playoff, with McIlroy sinking a birdie putt to secure the win on the first playoff hole.

"I would say it was 14 years in the making, from going out with a four-shot lead in 2011, feeling like I could have gotten it done there," McIlroy said. "Yeah, there was a lot of pent-up emotion that just came out on that 18th green. A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it."

The golfing world and sports world at large seemed almost universally pleased to see McIlroy secure the Masters win that has eluded him for so long.

"We are proud to add Rory to our exclusive club and no doubt he has set the standard for his era," Player wrote on social media. "To win all four major championships takes unwavering perseverance and the courage to overcome adversity time and time again in the face of immeasurable pressure few have ever experienced. Rory showed true grit today and also through the entire tournament. ... Well done, my friend. Welcome to our club."