Rory McIlroy's dramatic US Masters win in Augusta has been hailed as a huge national success.
The Down native made history, by becoming the first golfer in a quarter of a century to complete the career grand slam, adding his name to a list which includes legends, Gene Sarazen (1935), Ben Hogan (1953), Gary Player (1965), Jack Nicklaus (1966), and Tiger Woods (2000).
Leaders from across the nation have paid tribute to McIlroy, after his dramatic play off win over England's Justin Rose in Augusta. Such names include President Michael D Higgins, and Taoiseach Michael Martin.
President Higgins called McIlroy's win as a "truly outstanding achievement", with Mr Martin saying it was 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".
Yesterday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that McIlroy's win is something that everyone will remember forever.
Mr Martin said that his family Whatsapp group was going "hell for leather" as they watched the play off, which eventually saw McIlroy prevail in dramatic fashion.
"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".
Elsewhere, Tánaiste Simon Harris also posted his congratulations 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 said 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 added. "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".
Back in February, Rory McIlroy broke his silence on his shock divorce announcement from wife Erica Stoll, and subsequent U-turn in the Netflix series, Full Swing. More on this from Nova here.
