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Rory McIlroy knows how to put his fans through the ringer – and Sunday at Augusta National was no different.
At his home golf club in Northern Ireland, the expressions on the faces of supporters crammed into the small clubhouse said it all.
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But the mental toughness of McIlroy was what impressed fans at Holywood Golf Club the most as he sealed his second Masters title to become only the fourth man to go back-to-back in the tournament.
At one stage during the fourth and final round he was rocking, but he stabilised his performance to come away with the Green Jacket once again.
Rory McIlroy made things nervous at times for his fans [PA Media]
As world number one Scottie Scheffler tried but failed to catch McIlroy, a song echoed around Holywood.
“He’s in your head, in your head, Rory, Rory, Rory, ” sang the fans, to the tune of Zombie by the Cranberries.
Leading the chorus were teenagers who went to McIlroy’s old school, Sullivan Upper.
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Among those in awe of his resilience, and brilliance, was 18-year-old Oliver Keown.
“I’m amazed, I’m stunned,” he said.
“When he double-bogeyed the fourth hole I was starting to get a bit nervous but he came through and still won.”
Hamish Johnston, also 18, said: “I never doubted him. He’s world class.”
Among the dozens of other golf fans in the packed clubhouse was Leah James.
She too had total confidence in the 36-year-old Holywood golfer.
“Why would I doubt him? He’s one of us,” she said.
Hamish Johnston was confident of a McIlroy victory [BBC]
Lady president of the club, Audrey Gibson, said: “Rory kept his nerve the whole way through it. He had us tenterhooks at the very end but he was absolutely sensational.”
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One person in the clubhouse had a conflict of interest.
Although Martin Atkinson is a huge McIlroy fan, he had a soft spot for Englishman Justin Rose, after drawing him in a prize sweepstake.
“I’m still 100% behind Rory,” he said, with a smile.
Leah James described McIlroy’s win as “incredible” [PA Media]
His friend Josh Oliver correctly predicted the outcome of the tournament.
Even when McIlroy had a comfortable lead going into the final hole, Josh said: “I still think Rory is going to make it exciting.”
A sliced tee shot into the trees ensured a nervous finish, before some McIlroy magic clinched victory.
Noah, Freddie, Toby and Zara made their own signs to support Rory McIlroy [PA Media]
Back-to-back wins at the Masters after another dramatic finale means this will be forever known as the Rory Repeat at Augusta.
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However at Holywood Golf Club the members are hoping for something slightly different after this year’s success.
Although McIlroy brought his winning Green Jacket home to Northern Ireland last summer, it was only seen at The Open at Royal Portrush.
There was not enough time to show it off in Holywood, which is 60 miles away, on the outskirts of Belfast.
McIlroy’s second Masters triumph means more international visitors are likely to want to see where he grew up.
