Rory McIlroy finally etched his name in golf history on Sunday by winning the Masters in a dramatic playoff, completing the elusive career Grand Slam. The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland overcame a rollercoaster final round and drained a nerve-wracking four-foot birdie putt on the first hole of sudden death to defeat Justin Rose.
This long-awaited triumph snapped an 11-year major drought for the world number two, who had previously let the solo lead slip three times during the final round. Overcome with emotion, McIlroy wept as he claimed the iconic green jacket at Augusta National—a prize that had haunted him for over a decade.
“It feels incredible,” said McIlroy. “This is my 17th attempt here. I kept wondering if my time would ever come. I’m just so proud to finally call myself a Masters champion.”
With this victory, McIlroy joins an elite group of golf legends—Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen, and Ben Hogan—as the only players to win all four major championships.
Reflecting on years of pressure and near-misses, McIlroy added, “For the past decade, I’ve carried the weight of the Grand Slam each time I walked into Augusta. I guess we’ll need a new storyline for next year.”
McIlroy’s path to victory wasn’t smooth. Needing a par on the 72nd hole to win outright, he found a greenside bunker and missed a crucial five-foot par putt, forcing a playoff with Rose, who had carded a final-round 66, including six birdies on his last eight holes.
In the playoff, Rose reached the green in two, landing 15 feet from the hole. But McIlroy responded by placing his second shot just four feet from the pin. When Rose missed his birdie attempt, McIlroy seized the moment—draining his putt and collapsing in tears on the 18th green as the crowd roared in celebration.
“I’ve dreamed about this moment for as long as I can remember,” McIlroy said, overcome by the weight of his achievement. “There was so much pent-up emotion. A moment like this makes all the heartbreak worth it.”
The win was especially poignant given McIlroy’s infamous 2011 collapse at the Masters, where he squandered a four-shot lead in the final round to shoot an 80.
“It’s been 14 years in the making,” he said. “From that painful 2011 experience to today—it’s all part of the journey.”
Following his putt, McIlroy embraced his caddie, Harry Diamond, wept again, then hugged his wife and daughter amid deafening chants of his name from the crowd.
In addition to the coveted green jacket, McIlroy earned a record $4.2 million from a $21 million purse—the largest in Masters history.
Calling it “the best day of my golfing life,” McIlroy sealed his fifth major title with an unforgettable comeback and a legendary performance on one of golf’s grandest stages.
