Rory McIlroy revealed he had written some personal affirmations in his yardage book ahead of his dramatic Masters win at Augusta National on Sunday.

The Northern Irishman held his nerve to see off Justin Rose to complete a career Grand Slam and end 11 years of heartbreak since his 2014 PGA Championship victory. 

After his winning birdie putt dropped to seal the victory over his Ryder Cup teammate, McIlroy collapsed to the ground with his head in hands as his shoulders wracked with sobs.

McIlroy joined Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only golfers to capture the four major championships in the Masters era.

24 hours before making history, McIlroy explained on Saturday that there was more in his yardage book than the usual overhead views of holes and maps of the green.

The 35-year-old said: 'I have a few little notes written in the back of my yardage book that I glance at every now and again while I'm walking the fairway.

'You know, just little reminders. Little one or two-sentence things.'

When asked exactly what was written in his notebook, McIlroy did not divulge in detail, only adding: 'I mean, all the cliche mantras that you've heard before, really.' 

McIlroy's victory closed the circle on his journey at Augusta which included plenty of near misses, not least the 2011 tournament when he blew a final-round lead. 

It was no surprise to see tears in the world No 2's eyes as the previous winner, 2024 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, helped him put on the iconic green jacket.

'It feels incredible,' said the 2025 champion after the fact.

'This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time.

'I'd say it was 14 years in the making, from going out with the four-shot lead in 2011 - feeling like I could have got it done there. 

'There was a lot of pent up emotion that just came out on the 18th green. But a moment like that makes all of the years and close calls worth it.'