When the winning putt dropped, Rory McIlroy raised his arms toward the clear sky and let his putter fall behind him as he dropped to his knees overcome with emotion.

The greatest battles Rory McIlroy has fought over the last 10 years have been with himself. This was never going to end any other way. At times on Sunday, it seemed like the only thing standing between McIlroy and victory was the space between his ears.