Rory McIlroy's dramatic US Masters win in Augusta has been hailed as a huge national success, as the Down native made history, by becoming the first golfer in a quarter of a century to complete the career grand slam.
McIlroy adds his name to a list which includes icons, Gene Sarazen (1935), Ben Hogan (1953), Gary Player (1965), Jack Nicklaus (1966), and Tiger Woods (2000).
Leaders from across the nation have been falling over themselves to pay tribute to McIlroy, in light of his dramatic play off win over England's Justin Rose over the weekend. Such names include President Michael D Higgins, and Taoiseach Michael Martin.
President Higgins hailed McIlroy's win as a "truly outstanding achievement", with Mr Martin calling it a "finish for the ages".
"It's a triumph over adversity. It is resilience in the most raw way demonstrated last evening", Mr Martin added. "To have an Irish man joining five others in the Pantheon of Greats in golf is a moment of pride for the nation".
Elsewhere, Tánaiste Simon Harris also paid homage to Rory McIlroy.
"A first Masters and a career Grand Slam means he joins some of the very greatest to have ever played the game," he said. "A proud day for him, his family and for Ireland".
Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill stated that people are "bursting with pride" at McIlroy's victory.
"He speaks so loudly to all young people out there that if you have a dream, that you can achieve it", she said. "When you look at Rory's journey over many, many years, all the setbacks, and he kept going back at it and back at it".
"So yes, we should have a huge party", she continued. "I certainly will raise that with the Sports Minister, but I want to welcome him home in the best possible style that we can to show him that we are proud of what he has achieved.
"He's an ambassador for us".
Speaking yesterday, Micheal Martin said that McIlroy's win is something that everyone will remember forever.
Revealing that his family Whatsapp group was going "hell for leather" as they watched the action unfold.
"I was reminded of George Hamilton and Packie Bonner and 'a nation holds its breath', he stated. "Well, we were holding our breath every five minutes for a good few hours yesterday".
"Actually holding our breath on every putt and every tee shot but it was a tremendous occasion. It was a moment in time we will all remember".
This win comes months after it was confirmed that Rory McIlroy was to make his film debut in the Happy Gilmore sequel. More on this here.
