Rory McIlroy has achieved a monumental milestone by winning The Masters for the first time.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Where does one even begin to describe the thrilling rollercoaster that was Rory McIlroy’s final round at the 2025 Masters?
Is it at the bottom of Rae’s Creek or at the pinnacle of the golfing pantheon?
The opening four holes were an exhilarating whirlwind, as was the 18th hole. The playoff was equally intense — marking the first playoff at Augusta National since 2017, when Sergio Garcia triumphed over Justin Rose.
And yes, Rose was back again — a persistent challenge for McIlroy. He sank a 20-footer for birdie on the 18th hole, finishing at 11-under with an impressive 6-under 66 on Sunday, the best round of the day. In contrast, McIlroy could only manage a 1-over 73, hampered by a bogey on the 72nd hole, which tied him with Rose.
However, in a stunning turn of events, Rory McIlroy emerged victorious in the 2025 Masters Tournament, becoming the first player from the Emerald Isle to don the Green Jacket. This victory also signifies the end of an 11-year major championship drought, making McIlroy the sixth player in history to achieve a career Grand Slam.
So, where do we even start?
Perhaps it’s best to begin at the conclusion of regulation, where McIlroy held a one-shot lead.
After unleashing his best drive on the par-4 18th hole, McIlroy faced a 125-yard approach. Given McIlroy’s caliber, a wedge shot from this distance should have been a straightforward task: aim for the middle of the green, two-putt for par, and conclude the round triumphantly.
Yet, reminiscent of Greg Norman in 1986, widely regarded as the most significant choke in Masters history, McIlroy flared his wedge into the bunker and was unable to get up-and-down. He missed a five-footer for par on the 72nd green, forcing him and Rose back to the 18th tee.
In the ensuing playoff, after a moment of despair, McIlroy unleashed another incredible drive on 18. Once again, he faced 125 yards to the flagstick. Unlike his earlier misstep, McIlroy executed a precise draw that rolled back to within four feet of the cup. This impressive playoff approach was even more significant as Rose had just hit his second shot to approximately 15 feet, adding pressure on McIlroy.
Yet, against all odds, McIlroy rose to the occasion. He positioned his shot close, shifting the pressure onto Rose, who missed his birdie attempt. The stage was set for McIlroy’s career Grand Slam, and the crowd favorites witnessed him seal the victory by sinking his four-footer for birdie. The roar from his birdie echoed from Belfast to the Butler Cabin, where Scottie Scheffler would drape the Green Jacket over his shoulders.
A dream that seemed unattainable is now a glorious reality, with McIlroy’s tears of joy releasing 11 years of anxiety, pressure, and despair.
What a week, what a day, what a champion. Rory McIlroy is finally a Masters champion.
