The 11-year chase is finally complete − and it took a playoff.
Rory McIlroy emerged victorious at Augusta National as the winner of the 89th Masters Tournament, capturing the one major that eluded him and putting himself in golf immortality. McIlroy was in a showdown with Justin Rose, with both tied at 11-under par, and only needed one playoff hole to win. McIlroy finished with a 1-over 73 Sunday before it went to the playoff.
It was as dramatic as an ending could be at Augusta National Sunday afternoon. McIlroy headed into the final hole with a one-shot lead, but couldn't save par and it came down to a playoff between McIlroy and Rose, who shot a final-round 66.
The two competitors replayed the 18th and started off with ideal tee shots. On their second shots, Rose nearly hit it into the hole and got to within 15 feet, while McIlroy's ball had incredible backspin after hitting the green to end up four feet away. Rose couldn’t make the putt and settled for par. All McIlroy needed was birdie to win his first green jacket, and he hit it.
It was an up-and-down final round, but after he nailed the winning putt, McIlroy fell to his knees as the celebration was on. He was visibly emotional, and all the pain and frustration from years past are now wiped away with his first Masters victory.
Rory McIlroy gave everything. #themasterspic.twitter.com/Iv38QeVTbm
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
With the win, the 35-year-old from Northern Ireland becomes the sixth Grand Slam champion in golf history, and the first since Tiger Woods capped off the achievement in 2000.
One of the most recognizable names in golf, McIlroy burst onto the scene after becoming an accomplished amateur star and proved he could play with the best in the world when he turned pro at 18. He won his first major at the 2011 U.S. Open, took the 2012 PGA Championship and had a stellar 2014 when he won the British Open and PGA Championship in less than a one-month span.
But as McIlroy became a household name, the Masters has always been a sore spot in his career. In 2011, he looked like he'd win it when he had a four-stroke lead heading into the final day. Instead, he had a disastrous last round and finished tied for 15th. The following year, weekend struggles took him out of the race.
McIlroy finished in the top 10 every year from 2014-2018, and in 2022, he finished in second, three strokes behind Scottie Scheffler.
There was wonder if McIlroy would ever win at Augusta. But something felt different about this year. McIlroy met with Jack Nicklaus, winner of six green jackets, about how to play the course, shot-by-shot. The legendary golfer told McIlroy he wouldn't change a thing about his approach.
“I think it’s about time that Rory won,” Nicklaus said.
Maybe it was a good omen.
