RORY McILROY has dedicated The Masters to his "big brother" caddie Harry Diamond. McIlroy achieved his dream on Sunday by beating Justin Rose in an enthralling play-off at Augusta National. After sinking to his knees in sheer relief and joy after accomplishing his career Grand Slam, he shared an emotional embrace with Diamond. The two have known each other since they were kids growing up in Holywood, while Diamond has caddied for McIlroy since his split from JP Fitzgerald. In the post-Masters press conference, the 35-year-old was asked by journalist Eamon Lynch what it meant to share the moment with his childhood friend. McIlroy took a moment to gather his composure, playfully exclaiming: "Eamon!" When he did manage to fight back the tears, he responded: "I have known Harry since I was seven years old. "I met him on the putting green at Holywood Golf Club. "We have had so many good times together. "He has been like a big brother to me the whole way through my life. "To be able to share this with him after all the close calls that we have had, all the crap that he has had to take from people that don't know anything about the game. "This one is just as much his as it is mine. "He is a massive part of what I do and I couldn't think of anyone better to share it with than him." If getting his hands on the Green Jacket and accomplishing a career Grand Slam was not enough, Sunday saw the world No2 bag the biggest prize money in Masters history. The prize pot for the 2025 edition at Augusta Natonal was $21 million, with McIlroy walking away with $4.2 million. It is the biggest share ever won by the victor, with runner-up Justin Rose walking away with a cool $2.268 million for his stoic efforts. Shane Lowry, meanwhile, endured a difficult Sunday and ended in a share for 42nd after shooting a nine-over 81. The Offaly man left Georgia with $81,900 to his name, although his disappointing finish did nothing to stop him celebrating his friend making history. It brought to a definitive end an 11-year wait for a major for McIlroy, who had to contend with a stunning late challenge from Rose who, at one stage, was six shots back. And speaking to RTE, he declared that it had been a long time coming but that his dreams had finally come true. He said: "It feels absolutely incredible, it's been a long time coming. "Every year that I come here and drive down Magnolia Lane, I try to bring the best attitude that I can and I try to prepare as diligently as possible. "Sometimes I've been able to produce close to my best golf but not been able to get the job done.   "Thankfully this year was a little bit different. "I came in in a great vein of form, winning The Players Championship a couple of weeks ago and  I don't feel my confidence was ever as high as coming in here. "I felt like I was ready for anything that this course in this tournament would throw at me. and I was proven right because it threw a lot at me today."