Rory McIlroy didn’t leave Augusta National as the Masters champion without one last purchase from the gift shop.
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ATLANTA—RoryMcIlroydidn’tleaveAugustaNationalastheMasterschampionwithoutonelastpurchasefromthegiftshop.
Hesaidtherewere1,100pinflagsremainingintheMastersShop.
“Andwetookall1,100,”McIlroysaidTuesdayaheadoftheTourChampionship,theendofaPGATourseasonthathasbeenhismostmemorabletodateallbecauseofoneSundayinApril.
“It’sbeenalot,”hesaidoftheflagshehassigned.“ButI’llnevergetsickofsigningthem.I’vewaited17yearstosignthatflaginthemiddle,andIwillnevercomplainaboutdoingit.”
Playerssignflagsallthetimeforfans,butthegolfprotocolisthatonlytheMasterschampionsignshisnameinsidetheoutlineoftheU.S.thatispartofgolf’smostfamouslogo.
IthasbeenjustoverfourmonthssinceMcIlroydeliveredanexhilaratingendtohis17-yearpursuitofwinningthegreenjacket,makingbirdieonthefirstplayoffholetobeatJustinRoseandcompletethecareerGrandSlam.
Hehasn’twonsincethenandattimeshehastal
