\n<\/p>\n
For years, McIlroy had faced questions over whether he could complete the career Grand Slam.<\/p>\n
There had been missed opportunities to claim the iconic green jacket – most notably after an infamous final-round collapse in 2011. <\/p>\n
Despite his talent and self belief, the 35-year-old admitted to wondering if he had missed his opportunity.<\/p>\n
“You start to think if it is ever going to be your time,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I think there’s a good message in there about never giving up and keep coming back. <\/p>\n
“Be strong, be resilient and that patience paid off.”<\/p>\n
The Northern Irishman held a two-shot lead going into the final round, and said he had learnt lessons from his 2011 collapse, when he let a four-stroke advantage slip away.<\/p>\n
“I wanted to make everything else irrelevant. I’m not going to look at what my playing partner is doing, I’m not going to look at the leaderboard. <\/p>\n
“I was going to try and get in my own world. If I can shoot four-under-par, I’m going to win the Masters. <\/p>\n
“I felt like I lost the Masters in 2011 because I started to look around and started to do maths in my head.<\/p>\n
“If you give yourself a target and objective, that’s all you can do.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n