Rory McIlroy Finally Captures Elusive Masters Title, Completes Historic Career Grand Slam
Augusta, GA – After years of heartbreak, close calls, and mounting pressure, Rory McIlroy has finally done it.
The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland captured his first green jacket on Sunday at the 89th Masters Tournament, outlasting Justin Rose in a dramatic sudden-death playoff. With the win, McIlroy becomes just the sixth golfer in history to complete the career Grand Slam — joining legends Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
And it was anything but easy.
McIlroy’s final round at Augusta National was a nerve-wracking, emotional gauntlet — one that mirrored the many near-misses that defined his quest for the Grand Slam. He posted a 1-over 73 to finish at 11 under, but it took a playoff hole to finally seal the deal.
“I started to wonder if it would ever be my time,” McIlroy admitted. “This is my 17th time here, and for the last 10 years, I carried that burden. I guess now we’ll need something new to talk about next April.”
On the playoff’s first hole — Augusta’s famous 18th — both McIlroy and Rose found the fairway. Rose’s approach nearly found the hole, settling 15 feet past. But McIlroy’s second shot was even better: it nestled just 4 feet from the cup, drawing chants from the Augusta crowd.
Rose’s birdie putt slid right, and with one golden chance, McIlroy buried his. He threw his putter into the air, dropped to his knees in tears, and embraced his caddie, Harry Diamond. Moments later, he hugged his wife, Erica, and daughter, Poppy, as thousands cheered.
“What a roller coaster,” he told his putting coach, Brad Faxon, en route to the trophy presentation. “A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.”
McIlroy’s journey to the Grand Slam was 14 years in the making. He first had a shot at the Masters in 2011, when he infamously lost a four-stroke lead in the final round. Eleven attempts later, he finally conquered Augusta.
But Sunday looked like another collapse in the making.
McIlroy came into the final round with a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau. After a disastrous double-bogey on the first hole, his cushion was gone. Still, he battled back to reach 13 under by the 10th hole, maintaining a four-stroke lead.
Then came Amen Corner.
- On the par-4 11th, his approach nearly found water, leading to a bogey.
- At the par-5 13th, a poor wedge shot landed in Rae’s Creek. The result: a crushing double-bogey.
- On 14, a tee shot into the trees led to another bogey.
Suddenly, McIlroy was tied with Rose and Ludvig Åberg at 10 under.
But McIlroy dug deep. On the 17th hole, with Rose already in the clubhouse at 11 under, McIlroy delivered a clutch birdie — a perfect approach to within two feet — to retake the lead at 12 under.
The drama wasn’t done.
At the 18th, needing just a par to win outright, McIlroy’s approach flared right into a bunker. He recovered well, but missed a 5-foot par putt that would have sealed it — forcing the playoff with Rose.
McIlroy’s triumph ends a major drought that stretched back more than a decade. His previous major wins came at the 2011 U.S. Open, the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championships, and the 2014 Open Championship.
“Today was about more than golf,” McIlroy said. “My family, my team — they’ve been on this journey with me every step. They’ve seen me try and try again. I owe this to them.”
- Justin Rose shot an incredible 6-under 66, including a clutch 20-foot birdie on the 72nd hole to force the playoff. “It’s the kind of putt you dream about as a kid,” Rose said. “Sudden death is cruel, but I gave it everything.”
- Patrick Reed, 2018 Masters champ, finished third at 9 under after a 69.
- Scottie Scheffler, World No. 1, came in fourth at 8 under with a final-round 69.
- Bryson DeChambeau and Sungjae Im tied for fifth at 7 under.
Despite carding four double-bogeys across the tournament — a Masters first for a champion — McIlroy’s grit and resilience carried him over the finish line.
Rory McIlroy is finally a Masters champion.
And now, officially, one of golf’s all-time greats.
Source: ESPN – Rory McIlroy wins Masters in playoff to earn career Grand Slam
