It’s done: Rory McIlroy has broken his Major curse and crowned himself the winner of the The Masters Tournament 2025. He had to shake and cheer his way through a turbulent final round and even go through a playoff with Justin Rose, but at the end of the road is the long-awaited Green Jacket and with it the career Grand Slam.
The Masters Tournament 2025: Rory McIlroy’s fulfillment
McIlroy did not make it easy for himself. His lead was already gone after a double bogey on hole 1, and Bryson DeChambeau took the lead from him on hole 2. McIlroy struggled with the fairways and a cold putter. Nevertheless, he made two birdies on holes 3 and 4 and regained the lead. While DeChambeau made mistakes, McIlroy built up a four-shot lead.
But every golf fan knows that the Masters doesn’t start until Sunday on the back nine and those words were truer than ever today. The four-shot lead melted away in Amen Corner, while the cavalry got into position behind them. First and foremost Justin Rose, who made nine birdies on his round and even took the lead from his Ryder Cup colleague at times, especially after the latter made a double bogey on the 13th. McIlroy actually wanted to play it safe and put the ball in front, only to see it disappear into Rae’s Creek. Even after Rose had finished his round, the two Brits were tied for the lead, but it was up to McIlroy to take the lead.
In the play-off, he had to compete against Justin Rose. Both delivered excellent shots into the green, but at the end of a long week it was Rory McIlroy who was able to convert his slightly better birdie chance and secure victory. The relief and emotion drained away as McIlroy finally achieved the goal he had been aiming for again and again after such a long time.
It is a historic moment. Not only does McIlroy win a major tournament again after more than ten long years, he also completes his career Grand Slam. After the PGA Championship, US Open and Open Championship, he completes the quartet. Only five golfers in history have ever achieved this: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and, most recently, Tiger Woods.
Bryson DeChambeau shoots himself out of the final round
Bryson DeChambeau shot himself out of the race relatively quickly. After a birdie on hole 2, with which he snatched the lead from McIlroy, two bogeys followed and nothing really wanted to work out for him. While McIlroy extended his lead, DeChambeau remained nine shots under par until the Amen Corner. But then his nerves got the better of him. He played the ball into the water for a double bogey on the 11th, followed by a bogey on the 12th and the chance of victory was gone. After a stroke gain on the 14th, he tried to attack on the 15th, but was not rewarded and ended up in the water again. He managed to save the par and followed it up with a birdie on the 16th, but the gap to the leaders was too big. Instead, it was defending champion Scottie Scheffler and former champion Patrick Reed who started a race to catch up in the final and finished ahead of DeChambeau.
