Rory McIlroy bizarrely comments on Newcastle United win after ending Masters hoodoo

An agonising 11-year wait without a major came to an end last night when the Northern Irishman landed golf’s biggest prize of all. In doing so, McIlroy became only the sixth - and first European - to win a career Grand Slam.

The 35-year-old appeared to wobble in the closing stages as Englishman Justin Rose launched a late fightback. Both golfers went to war in a decisive play-off at Augusta National - with McIlroy prevailing to silence his decade-long detractors.

A famous Man United fan, McIlroy was just taking to the course when his team lined up against Newcastle United. For the golfer’s sake, his attention was best served elsewhere as the Magpies ran riot with a 4-1 victory on Tyneside.

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Goals from Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and a Harvey Barnes brace inflicted more misery on the Red Devils. The three points also lifted Newcastle into the Champions League places with seven games remaining.

Speaking after his Masters win, McIlroy joked how he wishes it can “inspire some better play” from Man United. He also highlighted Tiger Woods as his key inspiration for a legendary career at the highest level.

“I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember,” McIlroy added. “Watching Tiger (Woods) here in 1997 do what he did, winning his first green jacket, I think that inspired so many of my generation to want to emulate what he did.

“It feels incredible. This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time.

“The last 10 years coming here with the burden of the grand slam on my shoulder and trying to achieve it, I wonder what we’re going to talk about going into next year. I’m absolutely honoured, thrilled and proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion.”

Jason Tindall praised Newcastle United after half-time tweaks

Stand-in Toon boss Jason Tindall - who deputised for the ill Eddie Howe - praised the players for listening to his half-time adjustments. He said post-match: “We had to make a couple of tweaks at half-time, we were a few yards off on our press. The lads went back out and delivered their tactical executions superbly well.

“Eddie and I have worked together for 17 years and in that time he’s never missed more than a day or two, so he must have found it hard to be missing this week. We went out and delivered a performance he would be proud of. Hopefully, he is back very soon. Amongst our pressing was some fantastic football and some good goals.”

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