(Reuters) -Rory McIlroy's triumph at the Masters on Sunday was hailed on both sides of the Atlantic as the 35-year-old Northern Irishman became the first European men's player to complete a career grand slam of golf's majors.

McIlroy completed an extraordinary final day with a birdie on the opening hole of a sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose to complete the set, following earlier victories at the U.S. Open (2011), PGA Championship (2012, 2014) and Open Championship (2014).