The Celtic Shirt of Augusta as Rory McIlroy proves to be the Master

It was a late late show before the traditional appearance of a Celtic jersey showed up at the Masters, won last night by Rory McIlroy.

The shirt didn’t just turn up anywhere in a distant crowd. The fan, decked out in what looked like the 20/21 hoops was right behind the McIlroy family as Rory retained his trophy.

The first to do so in 24 years.

Thirteen months ago it looked like The Masters was going to torture the Irish golfer.

MASTER MCILROY

He had won the other Majors but a decade had passed since he last landed one of the Majors.

Augusta had tortured McIlroy. So many near misses but at some point in the final 36 holes it would fall apart with AN Other donning the blazer in the post competition ceremony.

There was less pressure this time on McIlroy.

He looked like running away with it this time around but a 76 in round three saw him dragged back into the pack.

Teeing off last on Sunday there was some early movement to the leaders board, notably through Justin Rose at the turn.

McIlroy shot birdies at the 12th and 13th holes to take a two shot lead, he held that until he reached the 18th tee.

A wayward drive ruffled the crowds but he recovered into a bunker. His third hit the middle of the green with his putt just inches away.

That left the ceremony till last. The drama was all surrounding the 18th green before McIlroy tapped in the short putt to retain the Green Blazer.

And as the TV cameras cut to his family there was one soccer shirt standing out.

The most recognisable shirt in football/soccer although the lads at Adidas will be furious at the numbers coming through from Michael Nicholson this year.

SALE is splashed everywhere with the current away shirt on sale at £20 having been launched at £75 last summer.

McIlroy wears Nike.