Liberated McIlroy eyes more Masters magic after career Slam
Rory McIlroy celebrates winning the 2025 Masters after falling to his knees on the 18th green having just completed a career grand slam (Richard HEATHCOTE) Rory McIlroy still remembers the surge of emotion that followed his victory at last year's Masters, a moment that ended a decade-long wait and completed golf's career Grand Slam. The Northern Irishman captured his fifth major title at Augusta National, dropping to his knees after holing a short birdie putt in a playoff to secure the green jacket. "It was my best-ever chance to win the grand slam," McIlroy said.
"I don't think there was any round of golf I had played before that can compare to the feelings and emotions I went through that Sunday. " A year later, the memories remain vivid, but McIlroy's attention has turned back to the challenge ahead as he prepares to return to Augusta as the defending champion next week. His breakthrough came after years of close calls and constant questions about whether he could finally win the Masters.
The victory ended a 10-year major drought and lifted the weight of expectation that had followed him each April. After starting with a double bogey then recovering with four birdies in the next nine holes, McIlroy battled England's Justin Rose down the stretch and made bogey at 18 to force a playoff. Back at 18, McIlroy dropped a wedge shot three feet from the hole and sank the birdie putt for an emotional triumph that brought a green jacket and a night of joyful celebration.
"It was a wonderful night," said McIlroy. "It carried on for a couple days. " That next morning, McIlroy awoke feeling "a little foggy," he admitted.
"I think I woke up and I just had to make sure that it wasn't a dream. People talk about those pinch-me moments and it really was like, did that really happen? " It did.