Rory’s Crown Jewel
McIlroy conquers Augusta to complete career Grand Slam after a decade-long wait
Augusta, Georgia - Rory McIlroy walked off Augusta National on Sunday evening as one of golf’s immortals, joining the most exclusive club in the sport – winners of all four majors. With his victory at the 2025 Masters, McIlroy becomes only the sixth player to achieve the career Grand Slam, and just the second – after Gene Sarazen in 1935 – to complete it at Augusta.
It’s been 10 years and 246 days since McIlroy last held a major trophy – the 2014 PGA Championship – and this long-awaited triumph is among the most emotional of his career. Despite carding four double bogeys during the week – a first for any Masters champion – McIlroy delivered when it mattered, closing with clutch birdies and fending off Justin Rose in a playoff.
“I’ve been chasing this for a decade,” said McIlroy, visibly moved. “To finally put on the Green Jacket... it’s more than a dream come true – it’s redemption.”
Rose, who birdied the 72nd hole to force extra holes, became just the second player in Masters history to lose two playoffs, the first being Ben Hogan. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau, who looked poised to contend, faded with a final-round 75, undone by early three-putts on holes three and four.
The final pairing once again proved pivotal – for the ninth consecutive year, the Masters champion came from the final group on Sunday. McIlroy, ranked world No. 2 coming in, continues a streak of top-three players winning at Augusta, extending the trend to four straight years.
Looking ahead, McIlroy’s Grand Slam elevates him to a new echelon – and in doing so, he reminded the world what greatness looks like in golf’s most sacred theatre.