Bob Rotella had no idea.
Golf’s most renowned sports psychologist, who has been working with Rory McIlroy for years, had been sitting in a quiet room with the 36-year-old star from Northern Ireland in the caddie building at Augusta National, where they had a motivational chat before all four of McIlroy’s Masters rounds last month.
When the moment of truth arrived at the end of what unfolded into an epic final round, with McIlroy’s name atop the manually-operated white leaderboard, Rotella was floored by what he saw.
We all saw it: McIlroy’s final putt disappeared into the cup on 18 to clinch his first green jacket, capture his first major championship in 11 years and complete the coveted career Grand Slam.
