Rory McIlroy described the grand slam-crowded victory of his career with the Masters as the best day of his golf life when he kicked out Justin Rose in the playoffs, following his extraordinary final day at Augusta National.
McIlroy recovered from losing his overnight two-shot advantage with a double bogey in the opening hole, stretching four times before, but blew that lead to six holes.
McIlroy’s bogie played the 18th against Rose. Rose scored a playoff spot in a stunning final round of 66.
“It feels incredible,” McIlroy said as he got his first green jacket in Butler’s cabin. “This is the 17th time I have been thinking, I wonder if that will be my time.
“I think it was 14 years between 14 years since we took a four-shot lead in 2011. I feel like we managed to get that done. There were a lot of pent-up emotions that came out on the 18th green.
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Rory McIlroy received a green jacket from last year’s winner Scottie Scheffler, so he looks back at what it means for his family to win.
McIlroy: Tracking the Master was a heavy burden
His victory marked McIlroy’s fifth title, finishing 11 years’ drought in major tournaments, earning him his fifth title and first at Augusta National.
He also became the sixth golfer in history to complete a career grand slam, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
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Watch the highlights of Rory McIlroy’s roller coaster round to win the Masters in the playoffs with Justin Rose and complete your career grand slam!
At a press conference, McIlroy spoke about how challenging the goal has been in pursuit of the past decade.
“I’ve been carrying that burden for nearly 11 years since August 2014. I’ve not only got my next major, but I’ve got only five players to participate, not just my career grand slam,” he said.
“I saw a lot of my peers get a green jacket in the process, which was difficult. I tried to approach this tournament with the most positive attitude. I think the cumulative experience I’ve come back here every year will make me a little more comfortable with the shots I need.
“But we’re talking about it and actually doing it. It was heavy weight to carry, but thankfully, I don’t have to carry it and hopefully put me free. I come back here every year, it’s nice!”
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After winning the Masters at Augusta, Rory McIlroy joked that he was targeting three other majors in 2025, suggesting:
McIlroy added:
“I am extremely proud of myself. I am proud to never give up. I am proud to go back and continue to dust myself and to really not reach my disappointment.”
McIlroy said, “Did you slip this one more?”
Like McIlroy’s collapse when he led Master in 2011, he recently slipped his fingers in the open in 2022 and slipped his lead in the US Open in 2023 and 2024.
With two leading on the final day of the Masters, McIlroy saw him disappear as soon as he double bogeys the opening hole. Then, by the 13th, the four-stroke advantage was reconstructed, which quickly evaporated another double saw.
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Rory McIlroy found Ray’s Creek with a short approach to the green, so he made a par 5 double bogey at Augusta despite laying up to the second shot.
There were some amazing shots and profits amid McIlroy’s errors, and ultimately such an approach won the title when replaying 18 in the playoffs.
“You have to be an eternal optimist in this game,” McIlroy said. “I have said that until my face turns blue, but I really believe I am a better player now than I did 10 years ago.
“It’s very difficult not to be patient, come back and get it done.”
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Rory McIlroy praises Caddy Harry Diamond with his childhood friend after winning the Masters at Augusta National
The 35-year-old added: “It was difficult today. I was incredibly nervous this morning.
“I was able to bounce back and show resilience that I had talked about a lot. There was a point in the back nine that made me think, ‘Did you let this slide again?’ But I answer, I am truly proud of myself.
“It was an emotional week, so I’m excited to be standing on the last guy.”
Also, when asked what he would tell his younger self, who blew that four-shot lead at the 2011 Masters, McIlroy replied: [helps]So I will continue to believe in anyone, any young girl or boy.
“I literally made my dream come true, so you can achieve anything, even if you work hard enough.”
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What’s next?
The PGA Tour will be covering Sky Sports Golf early from 12:15pm to 12pm ahead of full coverage starting at 7pm, heading to the latest signature event, the Hilton Head at RBC Heritage.
The women’s major season began with the Chevron Championship on April 24-27, with Nelly Korda defending the championship, and the next men’s major will be the PGA Championship on May 15-18 in the Quazur Hollow Club Form. Get Sky Sports or Stream now.
