McIlroy Wins The Masters on “Best Day” of His Golfing Life

April 14, 2025 Gambling

Summary: 

  • Rory McIlroy has finished a career Grand Slam with a dramatic play-off victory against Justin Rose at Augusta National.
  • The player is now the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam.
  • The title is his fifth major title since the 2014 PGA Championship.

Rory McIlroy finally captured the elusive Green Jacket, completing his career Grand Slam with a dramatic playoff win over Justin Rose at 2025 Masters at Augusta National, a moment he now calls “the best day of my golfing life”.

Storybook, Green-Jacket Ending

What looked early on like another painful chapter in McIlroy’s Masters history turned into a storybook ending. 

After he opened the final round with a double bogey and watched his two-shot lead vanish, McIlroy managed to regroup and surge ahead by four strokes. 

However, a late stumble saw that lead disappear over the final stretch, including a bogey at the 18th that forced a playoff with Justin Rose, who had carded a sizzling 66.

Once the playoff returned to the 18th tee, McIlroy rose to the occasion. He hit a brilliant approach, landing just a few feet from the hole, and sunk the birdie putt to secure his long-awaited win.

The 35-year-old said inside Butler’s Cabin,

It feels incredible, This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time?

“All of the Years and Close Calls” Were “Worth It”

It had been 14 years since McIlroy’s infamous collapse at the 2011 Masters. That scar, along with near-misses at The Open in 2022 and the U.S. Open in 2023 and 2024, made Sunday’s win even sweeter. 

There was a lot of pent-up emotion that just came out on the 18th green. But a moment like that makes all of the years and close calls worth it.

McIlroy now joins an exclusive club of just six golfers to complete the career Grand Slam, a milestone that’s weighed heavily on him since his last major win in 2014. 

I’ve carried that burden since August 2014, It was a heavy weight to carry but thankfully now I don’t have to carry it.

Even in victory, the nerves were real. “I was unbelievably nervous this morning”, he said. “There were points on the back nine where I thought, ‘have I let this slip again?’ But I responded and am really proud of myself.”

Reflecting on his journey, McIlroy had a message for the younger version of himself who lost that 2011 lead.

Having self-reflection and going through the hardships of tough losses [helps]… I have literally made my dreams come true.

Up next, the PGA Tour will head to Hilton Head for the RBC Heritage, the latest Signature Event.

The women’s major season will start with the Chevron Championship (April 24-27), with Nelly Korda as the defending champion. 

The next men’s major is the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club between May 15-18.