Rory McIlroy earns career Grand Slam: See Masters 2025 results

In a nail-biting finish that erupted into a booming cheer, Rory McIlroy turned a missed opportunity on the 18th into the grandest moment of his career — sticking a wedge to 3 feet for birdie in a sudden-death playoff Sunday to win the Masters and become just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam.

McIlroy had dominated much of the tournament, but a shaky final round allowed Justin Rose to catch him.

The 2025 champion began the day with a three-shot lead and maintained it until the 13th hole, where a bogey, following a double bogey on the 1st, allowed Rose to close the gap. Despite the stumbles, McIlroy still looked poised to win as he approached the 18th.

But after McIlroy missed a key birdie putt on the final hole, Rose sank a 20-footer for birdie to finish a round of 66 and tie him at 11-under, forcing a playoff.

In sudden death, both players hit solid tee shots — Rose’s down the right side, McIlroy’s straight down the middle. Rose’s approach stopped 15 feet from the hole, while McIlroy’s landed just 3 feet away. When Rose missed his birdie attempt, McIlroy calmly drained his to seal the victory and complete the career Grand Slam.

What could’ve been a smooth coronation turned into a heart-pounding battle, ending with McIlroy on his knees in tears, embracing his wife Erica Stoll and 4-year-old daughter Poppy as the gallery erupted around him.

“This was 11 years in the making,” one commentator said as McIlroy claimed victory. In a later interview, McIlroy noted that although he had played the tournament 17 times — including a career-worst collapse in 2011 — he had seriously chased the green jacket for 11 of them in pursuit of the Grand Slam.

As he walked down the fairway between a sea of cheering fans and congratulatory hugs from former Masters champions and friends, McIlroy held back tears. Then, during his ceremonial walk to the clubhouse, he delivered a memorable line: “I gotta get a green jacket.”

That jacket — the symbol worn by all Masters winners — was placed around McIlroy’s shoulders by 2024 champion and University of Texas alumnus Scottie Scheffler, as McIlroy stood overwhelmed with emotion.

What is a Grand Slam in golf?

In golf, a Grand Slam refers to winning all four major championships at least once during a golfer’s career: the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the Open Championship (also known as the British Open). This rare feat, known as the career Grand Slam, is one of the sport’s most prestigious achievements.

It has only been accomplished six times, most recently in 2000, when Tiger Woods completed the Grand Slam with his victory at The Open Championship at St. Andrews.

Others to achieve it include Gene Sarazen (1935), Ben Hogan (1953), Gary Player (1965) and Jack Nicklaus (1966).

How old is Rory McIlroy?

McIlroy’s victory at the 2025 Masters came exactly three weeks before his 34th birthday on May 4.

Where is Rory McIlroy from?

Rory McIlroy is from Northern Ireland and did not attend college. Although he signed a letter of intent in late 2004 to play collegiate golf at East Tennessee State University, his wins in 2005 led him to forgo the scholarship and continue his amateur golf career in Europe.

See Masters 2025 results, payouts

• 1. Rory McIlroy, -11, $4,200,000 (R1: E, R2: -6, R3: -6, R4: +1, R5: -1)
• 2. Justin Rose, -11, $2,268,000 (R1: -7, R2: -1, R3: +3, R4: -6, R5: E)
• 3. Patrick Reed, -9, $1,428,000 (R1: -1, R2: -2, R3: -3, R4: -3, R5: -)
• 4. Scottie Scheffler, -8, $1,008,000 (R1: -4, R2: -1, R3: E, R4: -3, R5: -)
  • T5. Bryson DeChambeau, -7, $798,000 (R1: -3, R2: -4, R3: -3, R4: +3, R5: -)
  • T5. Sungjae Im, -7, $798,000 (R1: -1, R2: -2, R3: -1, R4: -3, R5: -)
• 5. Ludvig Åberg, -6, $703,500 (R1: -4, R2: +1, R3: -3, R4: E, R5: -)
  • T8. Corey Conners, -5, $588,000 (R1: -4, R2: -2, R3: -2, R4: +3, R5: -)
  • T8. Jason Day, -5, $588,000 (R1: -2, R2: -2, R3: -1, R4: E, R5: -)
  • T8. Zach Johnson, -5, $588,000 (R1: E, R2: +2, R3: -6, R4: -1, R5: -)
  • T8. Xander Schauffele, -5, $588,000 (R1: +1, R2: -3, R3: -2, R4: -1, R5: -)
  • T12. Harris English, -4, $462,000 (R1: -2, R2: +1, R3: +1, R4: -4, R5: -)
  • T12. Max Homa, -4, $462,000 (R1: +2, R2: -2, R3: -3, R4: -1, R5: -)
  • T14. Tyrrell Hatton, -3, $336,000 (R1: -3, R2: -2, R3: +3, R4: -1, R5: -)
  • T14. Tom Hoge, -3, $336,000 (R1: E, R2: E, R3: -2, R4: -1, R5: -)
  • T14. Matt McCarty, -3, $336,000 (R1: -1, R2: -4, R3: +3, R4: -1, R5: -)