17 Dec 2011

McIlroy wept after US Masters meltdown

12:45 pm on 17 December 2011

Rory McIlroy says he wept after letting victory slip from his grasp at the US Masters in April and the world number two is hoping the only golf-related crying he does in the future will be tears of joy.

In a frank review of his season, the 22-year-old Northern Irishman acknowledges he "choked" by carding a closing 80 at Augusta after going into the last round holding a four-stroke lead.

McIlroy says at the time he felt it might be the only chance he had to win a major and he blew it, finishing a distant 10 strokes behind the winner, South African Charl Schwartzel.

Asked if he would ever weep on the course, McIlroy replied golf is not worth crying over and it's only a game.

McIlroy buried his Masters demons by romping to an eight-shot victory at the US Open in Maryland in June to clinch the first major title of his career.