Rory McIlroy ran up a triple bogey seven at the 10th hole when still ahead. (Pic: AP/Matt Slocum)

It was ecstasy for South African Charl Schwartzel in The Masters at Augusta — and total unmitigated agony for Rory McIlroy.

Schwartzel, 26, has grabbed his first major title after yet another amazing day of high drama that saw Tiger Woods charge into a share of the lead and McIlroy, four clear overnight, collapse to an 80.

The 21-year-old’s suffering was the biggest last-day collapse in a major since Jean Van de Velde blew it from five clear at Carnoustie in 1999.

Three years before that, of course, Greg Norman was six in front at Augusta and with a nightmare 78 lost by five to Nick Faldo.

Now McIlroy’s name will, for the time being at least, be grouped with theirs. He finished only 15th, an incredible 10 shots behind.

In contrast, Schwartzel shot a best-of-the-day 66 to beat Adam Scott and Jason Day by two and their fellow Australian Geoff Ogilvy, Woods and England’s Luke Donald by four.

Schwartzel chipped in at the first, pitched in for an eagle at the third and then, behind once again after playing the next 11 in one over, closed with a staggering four successive birdies.

He got up and down from just over the 15th, made 15-footers on the next two greens and, with two for it at the last, converted an 18-foot putt to end the week 14 under par.

PA