April 15, (THEWILL) – Rory McIlroy achieved golf’s career Grand Slam on Sunday with an emotional Masters victory, defeating Justin Rose in a sudden death playoff at Augusta National.
The Northern Irishman sank a four-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to finally capture the green jacket that had eluded him through 16 previous attempts.
The world number two overcame significant challenges throughout the final round, including a double bogey start and a missed par putt on the 72nd hole that would have sealed victory in regulation play.
Both competitors finished 72 holes tied at 11-under 277, with McIlroy shooting a one-over par 73 and Rose delivering a closing 66 that included birdies on six of the final eight holes.
“It feels incredible,” McIlroy stated following his victory. “This is my 17th time here. I was wondering if it would ever be my time. I’m thrilled and so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion.”
The 35-year-old joins the exclusive company of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen, and Ben Hogan as the only golfers to win all four major championships.
The dramatic conclusion saw McIlroy miss a five-foot par putt on the 72nd hole before redeeming himself in the playoff.
After Rose missed his birdie attempt from 15 feet, McIlroy converted his four-footer, prompting an emotional display as he sank to his knees weeping on the 18th green.
“There was a lot of pent-up emotion that came out on that 18th green.
“It is a moment like that that makes all the close calls worth it,” McIlroy admitted.
The victory earned McIlroy a record prize of £4.2 million from the tournament’s £21 million purse and represented his third title of 2025 following wins at The Players Championship and the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
He now holds 29 career US PGA Tour triumphs, with this first major championship since the 2014 PGA Championship ending an 11-year drought in golf’s most important tournaments.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
