Justin Rose "wanted to be the bad guy" at the Masters, but he was still grateful to be part of a historic moment as Rory McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam.

Rose entered Sunday's final round at Augusta National seven shots back of leader McIlroy, having carded a three-over 75 on Saturday.

But a brilliant final round of 66, featuring 10 birdies and four bogeys, dragged him back into contention ahead of McIlroy finishing as part of the late group.

And while Rose was hitting practice shots and hoping for a slip-up from the Northern Irishman, drama was unfolding on the 18th hole.

Leading by one shot, McIlroy found the bunker from a great position on the fairway, then after escaping the sand, he missed a close-range par putt to ensure a play-off was needed.

But back on the 18th hole just 15 minutes later, it was Rose's turn to produce a wayward putt, as a sublime second shot teed McIlroy up to finally end his 11-year major drought.

McIlroy is the first male European golfer to achieve the career Grand Slam, with only Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods previously achieving the feat.

While Rose had been desperate to deny McIlroy his historic achievement, he recognised the importance of that moment.

"This is a historic moment in golf, isn't it? Someone who achieves the career Grand Slam," Rose said afterwards.

"I wanted to be the bad guy today, but still, it's a momentous occasion for the game of golf."

10 years, 304 days between major wins for Tiger Woods.

10 years, 249 days between major wins for Rory McIlroy.

Worth the wait. pic.twitter.com/shKr8FjGGo

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 14, 2025

Rose did not feel he could have done much more in the play-off, with McIlroy's sensational second shot dropping onto the green then spinning back to within three feet of the hole.

"Unfortunately, the play-off, they always end so quickly," Rose said. 

"If you're not the guy to hit the great shot or hole the great putt, it's over. But that's the nature of sudden death. I'm not sure I could have done much more today."

Capturing the grand slam on the grandest stage!

Rory McIlroy has won the Masters 

pic.twitter.com/dIHYCa9giQ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 13, 2025

Rose also finished second when the Masters was last decided by a play-off, losing to Sergio Garcia in 2017. McIlroy has now won five straight play-offs on the PGA Tour.

A bogey on the 17th was another 'what-if' moment for Rose, but he was proud of the way he coped with the pressure throughout his final round.

"I hit a lot of quality shots under pressure, and I felt like I was getting stronger and stronger as the round was going on," Rose said.

"I felt so good with my game, good with my emotions, and I'm super proud of that because you can't prepare for that. 

"You can't practice for that. That's when you learn about yourself, and I'm still learning about myself."