Snooker stars take to social media to salute Rory McIlroy on his historic Masters golf title victory

Northern Ireland's McIlroy and his legion of fans endured a rollercoaster of emotions during his final round at the Augusta National Golf Club. Having missed a putt on the 18th hole in regulation play for the title, McIlroy ousted England's Justin Rose in a playoff hole to win his first Masters title.

The victory - which scooped the 35-year-old $4,200,000 in prize money - also completed McIlroy's quest for a Career Grand Slam, having won the US Open, USPGA and Open Championships in his twenties. He is only the sixth player in golfing history to have won all four of the sport's major events, and the first European to achieve the incredible feat.

Two of McIlroy's Northern Irish compatriots and fellow sporting icons Dennis Taylor and Mark Allen went on X (formerly Twitter) to express their joy at his historic triumph, and stated that he is the greatest-ever sportsperson to have come from the region.

Winner of the World Snooker Championship in 1985 after the famous 'Black Ball Final', Taylor wrote: "Absolutely delighted for Rory and all his family. Dad Gerry, Mum Rosie, wife Erica and daughter Poppy. Rory you’re fantastic. Northern Ireland's greatest ever sportsman. A pleasure knowing the McIlroys."

Former UK and Masters champion Allen became Northern Ireland's first-ever world number one in professional snooker, last year.

The 39-year-old was also quick to heap praise on a fellow national hero: "Tears in my eyes here. What have you done to me @McIlroyRory? That was the hardest days viewing ever but all worth it in the end to see you achieve your dreams. Northern Ireland’s best ever sportsperson and I don’t say that lightly cause we’ve got a few!! Well done."

In the coming weeks, Allen will be trying to become Northern Ireland's first World Snooker Champion since Taylor's memorable win at the Crucible 40 years ago.

If Allen does it, he would become the third cueist from his nation to lift the trophy after Alex Higgins did so in 1972 and 1982, and Taylor in 1985.

The reigning Masters champion in snooker, Shaun Murphy - a very adept golfer - also posted online to applaud McIlroy.

In 2019, Murphy tried to qualify for that year's Open Golf Championship held at Royal Portrush. Because of his scratch handicap, the former World Snooker Champion was eligible to play in regional qualifying at County Louth, but a round of 84 meant he didn't get through to the final qualifying phase.