Rory McIlroy finally has his green jacket. After years of heartbreak at Augusta National, the Northern Irish golfer won the 2025 Masters on Sunday in a dramatic finish that ended with a one-hole playoff against Justin Rose.
McIlroy had many chances to win earlier in the day but stumbled each time. Still, he didn’t give up. After missing a short putt on the 18th green that would have sealed the win, he bounced back in sudden death. On the playoff hole, McIlroy hit his approach shot to just 4 feet. This time, he sank the winning putt.
With the victory, McIlroy becomes only the sixth golfer in history to complete a career grand slam, winning all four major championships. He’s the first to do it since Tiger Woods in 2000.
In an emotional interview afterward, McIlroy said, “I started to wonder if this would ever be my time.” Fighting back tears, he also thanked his parents in Northern Ireland and said he looked forward to celebrating with them.
A Wild Ride to Victory
The tournament had plenty of twists and turns. Early in the week, heavy rain delayed practice rounds. On Thursday, Justin Rose took an early lead with a stunning round of 65. McIlroy struggled late in his first round with two double bogeys, but he recovered on Friday with a strong back nine.
Saturday saw McIlroy surge ahead with an eagle at the 15th hole, putting him in the lead going into Sunday. But Sunday wasn’t easy.
On the first two holes, McIlroy had a double bogey and dropped behind Bryson DeChambeau. He quickly recovered with birdies on holes 3 and 4. Then, on hole 7, he hit a near-miracle shot over tall trees to land near the cup.
Rose wasn’t done either. He made birdies on 11, 12, 13, and 15 to stay in the hunt. McIlroy made mistakes, including a chip into Rae’s Creek on the 13th, which cost him the lead. The three-man race between McIlroy, Rose, and Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg came down to the final holes.
On the 15th, McIlroy hit a beautiful shot under the trees to set up a birdie and retake the lead. But Rose birdied the 18th to tie him again at 11-under.
McIlroy responded with a clutch birdie on 17. He reached the 18th green with a chance to win but missed a short putt, forcing the playoff.
In the playoff, both men hit solid drives. Rose’s approach landed 15 feet from the hole. McIlroy put his just 4 feet away. Rose missed his birdie try. McIlroy didn’t.
