Rahm and McIlroy left scratching their heads after Masters letdown

AUGUSTA, Georgia : Defending champion Jon Rahm and Grand Slam-seeking Rory McIlroy came into this year's Masters looking to add their names to the history books but the decorated golfers walked away scratching their heads after the final round on Sunday.

Rahm was bidding to become only the fourth player to retain a Masters title while McIlroy was making his 10th attempt at becoming only the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam of golf's four major titles.

But McIlroy and Rahm, who respectively occupy the second and third spots in the official world golf rankings, were never able to get in the mix at the year's first major.

Rahm, who joined LIV Golf eight months after winning last year's Masters, squeaked inside the six-over par cut line but failed to make a move over the weekend and closed the major with a four-over-par 76 that left him at nine over on the week.

"There's a lot of things that contributed to me not having my best week, and one of them I think was obviously on the greens, which is not easy," said Rahm. "Never really had the pace of the greens, and a couple too many three-putts."

Making matters worse for Rahm, he was unable to quickly flee Augusta National and put the week behind him as Masters tradition requires the defending champion to present the Green Jacket to the next year's winner.

"It's been nice to have some receptions walking up to some tees no matter what my score was and seeing the appreciation," said Rahm. "But when you don't have your best week, it's not that - it's hard to have to stay now to put the jacket on somebody else and never really ever have a chance."

McIlroy, who began the day 10 strokes off the lead, opened his round with a bogey and then had a solid eagle opportunity at the