Key Points Summary – Rory McIlroy wins Masters
- McIlroy Claims Career Grand Slam: He becomes the sixth golfer in history to win all four majors.
- Dramatic Playoff Finish: He beat Justin Rose with a clutch birdie in sudden death.
- Emotional Victory: McIlroy collapsed to his knees after sealing the win.
- Rose Heartbreak Continues: Rose lost his second Masters in a playoff, despite a strong finish.
McIlroy Survives Chaos to Make History
Rory McIlroy finally did it. After 11 long years without a major win, the Northern Irish star conquered Augusta National and completed the career Grand Slam in unforgettable fashion. The Rory McIlroy wins Masters moment arrived Sunday after a dramatic playoff win over Justin Rose.
What began as a comfortable lead turned into one of the most chaotic finishes in Masters history. But McIlroy delivered when it mattered most, draining a short birdie putt in sudden death after a flawless wedge shot to just three feet.
The emotional win made him only the sixth player in golf history to win all four majors, joining legends like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
Collapse, Comeback, and a Clutch Wedge
McIlroy’s Sunday round started with a double bogey and quickly spiraled into disaster. He lost a four-shot lead on the back nine with two wild holes, including a shocking double on the 13th after hitting into Rae’s Creek.
Many fans feared he would choke again on golf’s biggest stage.
But McIlroy, known for his resilience, didn’t break. Instead, he roared back with two birdies, including a near-perfect 8-iron that landed inches from the hole on the 17th. Still, a missed 5-foot par putt on 18 sent the tournament into the first Masters playoff since 2017.
Playoff Tension Ends in Triumph
In the playoff, McIlroy calmly stepped up and delivered the shot of the tournament — a wedge to within three feet. Rose, facing pressure, missed his 15-foot putt. That left McIlroy with a simple birdie — and a career-defining moment.
He raised his arms and let the putter fall. Then, overcome with emotion, he dropped to his knees on the green and buried his head. Years of heartbreak finally gave way to glory.
“This one means everything,” McIlroy said in Butler Cabin. “I wondered if I’d ever get here.”
Rose Falls Short Again
Justin Rose played brilliantly Sunday, carding a 66 with a clutch birdie on 18 to force the playoff. But once again, Augusta denied him. The Englishman now joins Ben Hogan as the only players to lose two Masters in playoffs.
“I gave it everything,” Rose said. “But Rory earned that one.”
Other contenders faded fast. Bryson DeChambeau opened strong but crashed with two water balls and a 75. Ludvig Aberg made a late charge but folded with a bogey-triple bogey finish.
Rory’s Road to Redemption
For McIlroy, the green jacket had long been the missing piece. Since winning The Open in 2014, he endured major meltdowns, public scrutiny, and close calls. Augusta haunted him more than any other course.
But this time, even with nerves rattling and a lead slipping away, he kept his composure. He leaned on grit, experience, and a laser-focused short game.
The 35-year-old now joins the game’s elite with a complete Grand Slam: the Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship.
As he stood on the 18th green, finally wearing the green jacket, McIlroy said it best: “I never gave up. And now, I’ll never forget this day.”
