COMMENT: Another Rory McIlroy rollercoaster experienced at the Masters - but it was definitely worth the ride

Rory McIlroy waited 17 years to win a Masters green jacket. Now, just like two Belfast Gliders, two unexpectedly come along one after the other.

History was made back in 2025 when the Holywood man claimed his maiden win at Augusta National.

That victory placed McIlroy among the game’s all-time greats as he became just the sixth player ever to complete the grand slam of majors.

Twelve months on from that emotional win, and the 36-year-old has historians going into overdrive to rewrite their books after he became just the fourth golfer to win consecutive Masters titles.

Move over Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods, who last completed the feat back in 2002, a place needs to be reserved at the top table within the famous clubhouse at the end of Magnolia Lane for the man from Ulster.

Faldo was among those to congratulate McIlroy on his magnificent win in Georgia, graciously shaking the world number two’s hand as he soaked up the adulation of the crowds packed around the 18th green at Augusta National.

The Englishman will no doubt be concerned that McIlroy still has the quality, belief and time to go on and surpass his major six wins - a total both of them now enjoy.

The rest of us should also be concerned if that’s the case, too. Winning these things is never straightforward. A rollercoaster of emotions is almost always guaranteed. It’s never easy viewing when McIlroy is concerned.

You often wonder whether a young Rory spent too much time on the Dig Dipper at Barry’s Amusements in Portrush in between chipping air balls into mum Rosie’s washing machine, given his penchant for keeping us all on the edge of our seats.

Northern Ireland Electricity probably experienced a massive power surge on Sunday night as a double bogey on the par-three fourth, followed by a bogey on six, most likely forced those watching on TV to put the kettle on as they searched for a welcome distraction from the drama unfolding.

A few non-golf-loving neighbours were probably banging the walls in their attempts to sleep when consecutive birdies at 12 and 13 rolled in and were justifiably celebrated.

And god know how many dogs had to be taken out for a late-night walk when McIlroy sent his drive down 18 and into the trees on the left-hand side of the fairway.

A few prayers were probably said as the Ulsterman then decided to send his tee shot over the giant scoreboard on the side of the 18th as he desperately looked for a way to prevent another play-off to decide the latest Masters winner.

Thankfully it was a tactic that paid off, with McIlroy’s bogey and final round one-under-par score of 71 enough to claim victory by a solitary shot from Scottie Scheffler, who shot a four-under par 68 to finish one shot behind arguably Northern Ireland’s greatest ever sportsperson.

The legendary George Best has the city airport named after him. Maybe the owners up at Aldergrove could follow suit for Rory?

If not, then the rollercoaster in Portrush would maybe be more appropriate!