Rory McIlroy reveals the secret 'ironic' note he received from controversial jailed Masters champion Angel Cabrera ahead of Augusta victory
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Rory McIlroy has revealed the 'ironic' message he received from disgraced former Masters champion Angel Cabrera ahead of his emotional triumph at Augusta National.
The Northern Irishman dispelled the ghosts of the past to end an 11-year wait for a major and become the sixth man to complete the career grand slam after edging out Justin Rose in a sudden death play-off on Sunday night.
McIlroy headed into the final round with a two-shot lead, 14 years after he looked certain to claim the championship as a 21-year-old, having begun the final day with a four-shot advantage over the field.
The 35-year-old would go on to suffer one of the most infamous meltdowns in the sport's history, recording a round of 80 to finish on four under par and tied for 15th. McIlroy's playing partner on that fateful day was 2009 champion Cabrera, who made his comeback at Augusta this week following two-and-a-years in prison.
McIlroy opened up on the message he received from the Argentine ahead of his final round on Sunday.
He said: 'You know, since 2011, I think it's so ironic, as well. I got to my locker this morning and I opened it up, and there was a note in there from Angel Cabrera, and just wishing me luck.
Rory McIlroy has revealed the ironic message he received ahead of his final round at the Masters
Disgraced former Masters champion Angel Cabrera wished the Northern Irishman luck ahead of his victory on Sunday
The Argentine was McIlroy's playing partner during his final round at the 2011 Masters where he suffered an infamous collapse
'And Angel Cabrera was the player I played with on the final day in 2011, it was a nice touch and a little bit ironic at the same time. It's been 14 long years, but thankfully I got the job done.'
Cabrera missed the cut at the 2025 tournament after making his controversial comeback at the major championship this week. He won the green jacket in 2009 and has played at the Masters 20 times but has not competed at the tournament since 2019.
He spent two-and-a-half years behind bars after being found guilty of assault, theft and illegal intimidation against former girlfriends in 2021.
McIlroy, meanwhile, exorcised the demons of the past to claim his fifth major after a dramatic play-off win over Justin Rose. However he was made to wait for his crowning moment after flubbing a putt from about five feet out to ultimately bogey the 18th.
He eventually held his composure in a nerve-wracking play-off to ward off Rose for good and complete a career grand slam.
The 35-year-old paid tribute to his family in his emotional Green Jacket ceremony.
'Last but not least, over to my left, my family, my team,' he said, trailing off as the tears threatened to spill again.
'They've been on this journey with me the whole way through. They know the burden that I've carried to come here every year and try and try and try again,' he continued after recomposing himself.
'The one thing I would say to my daughter Poppy, never give up on your dreams. Never ever give up on your dreams. Keep coming back. Keep working hard.'
Daily Mail
