Rory McIlroy appeared to be cruising to his first Masters win on Sunday.
McIlroy went into No. 13 at Augusta National as the sole leader at 13-under par, with a three-stroke lead over the field. He looked like he was well on his way to becoming the sixth golfer to complete a career Grand Slam. That's until disaster struck on the par-5 13th.
McIlroy previously made birdie, eagle and birdie on the 13th in the first, second and third rounds, respectively. But he opted to play it safe Sunday. Everything was going smoothly until his third shot landed in the tributary of Rae's Creek. McIlroy carded a double-bogey, his fourth of the tournament, to drop to 11 under.
To make matters worse, Justin Rose made birdie on No. 16 to grab a share of the lead.
Rory hits his ball in the water and makes a double bogey 😳
— ESPN (@espn) April 13, 2025
He's now tied with Justin Rose at the top of the leaderboard! #themasterspic.twitter.com/XnFtJdl2l1
McIlroy followed his double-bogey on No. 13 with a bogey on No. 14 after his ball stopped right at the lip of the hole. He then shared the lead at 10 under alongside Rose and Ludvig Ã…berg.
He rebounded nicely on No. 15. He missed an eagle putt, but still carded a birdie to take the outright lead back at 11 under with three left.
McIlroy's meltdown on No. 13 sent a shockwave into the Twitterverse. Here's what X users are saying:
All things considered, I do not think it's an exaggeration to say that was one of the worst golf shots in history.
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) April 13, 2025
That's an 86-yard shot he hit 30 yards right of his target I am in shock. SHOCK.
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) April 13, 2025
No player has ever won the Masters with four double bogeys or more. Rory's double at 13 is his fourth of the week.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 13, 2025
What in the actual…..
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) April 13, 2025
I can’t believe what I just watched
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714)Save Story Topics in this Story
