ASTONISHING - the collapse of Rory McIIroy and the emergence of Charl Schwartzel at a riveting final day of the US Masters.

Sometimes television can be a cruel, unforgiving medium and it was excruciating watching Mcllroy unravel before our very eyes.

Starting the final day four shots ahead with the hopes of a nation resting on the 21-year-old's shoulders it all turned sour as bit by bit the Northern Irishman collapsed to an unbelievable final round 80.

A mis-hit drive almost out of the course, the ball going no more than 170 yards instead of the normal 300+ off the tee which made him the longest hitter was followed by a three-putt from seven feet, then a four-putt from 15 feet, a rebound off a tree, another drive straight into a brook.

It was sheer torment, it became Mcllroy's meltdown and he appeared close to tears. Didn't you just feel for him?

But out of the pack came Schwartzel on a day when the lead changed hands no fewer than 15 times. An unbelievable putt from way off the green set him on his way and anyone who finishes with four successive birdies deserves to wear the coveted green jacket.

But there were three Australians in the final half-dozen though fellow countryman Wayne Grady remained commendably cool in the commentary box but not as icy as Tiger Woods, back in the mix but as clipped and ungracious as ever when interviewed.

None of that for Mcllroy though. When most in his position would have crawled away after it was all over he faced the cameras and answered all the awkward questions.

His day will surely come again, it must because his sublime golf of the opening three days deserves a better fate than him being remembered solely as the player who let the green jacket fall from his shoulders when he was on the point of putting it on.

A tragedy of a different kind also captured on TV at the weekend came in that most shocking, horrifying of sporting events called the Grand National.

Two horses killed, the winning horse close to collapse so that it couldn't go into the winner's enclosure and jockey Jason Maguire banned for five days for excessive use of the whip.

It just happened to be the hottest day of the year - and the winning jockey uses the whip too much! Sickening, absolutely sickening. If all of that isn't enough evidence to ban the wretched race once and for all I give up.