The Masters 2025 LIVE: Rory McIlroy dramatically beats Justin Rose in play-off for career grand slam
Rory McIlroy missed a five-foot putt for the title in regulation play before beating Justin Rose in a play-off to finally complete the career grand slam
Rory McIlroy finally won the Masters, fulfilling a lifelong dream and and putting years of hurt behind him, to complete the career grand slam in the most dramatic fashion.
McIlroy’s final round swung back and forth and he only needed a par on the 18th to win the title in regulation. But he missed a five-foot par putt to instead set up a play-off against Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose, who had carded a magical 66 to set the clubhouse target at -11.
Yet the Northern Irishman somehow regained his composure and played the 18th brilliantly in the sudden-death play-off, sinking a four-footer for birdie to deny Rose, adding the Masters to his Open, US Open and two PGA Championship crowns. He is only the sixth man in the history of golf to win all four majors.
It ended an 11-year major drought that was full of heartbreak and near misses and McIlroy sunk to his knees in delight as the emotion overwhelmed him, with his Augusta National hoodoo finally at an end.
Relive all of the action from Augusta below:
How Rory McIlroy found strength in his vulnerability to secure greatest moment
One of the most important moments in Rory McIlroy’s historic victory at the Masters came before he had even hit a shot: at Augusta, he said, he was ready to have his heart broken all over again. After the ride he had been on in pursuit of the green jacket, and career grand slam, McIlroy reckoned he had already been through the worst of what his sport could throw at him, and it wasn’t so bad. “You dust yourself off and you go again,” McIlroy said last Tuesday. “I think that's why I've become a little more comfortable in laying everything out there and being somewhat vulnerable.”
On Sunday, it was McIlroy’s acceptance of his vulnerabilities that became his greatest strength in finally winning at Augusta. He had a five-foot putt to win the Masters, and missed. He faced the same nightmare and, in the moment that mattered, it made him stronger.
How Rory McIlroy found strength in his vulnerability to secure greatest moment
Child prodigy to grand slam winner: The making of Masters champion Rory McIlroy
From the home video of a three-year-old practising in his living room to chipping balls into a washing machine on national television aged nine, it was obvious that Rory McIlroy had the talent to make history.
The extent to which he would do so was the only question, a question now answered emphatically by victory in the Masters to complete the career grand slam.
McIlroy is the first European player to have won all four major titles, joining an elite club populated by greats of the sport Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
Child prodigy to grand slam winner: The making of Masters champion Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy finally ends decade of pain with most dramatic Masters win to seal grand slam
Rory McIlroy ended his major drought in barely-believable fashion by dramatically beating Justin Rose in a play-off to finally win the Masters and complete the career grand slam.
McIlroy birdied the first extra hole after the pair had finished tied on 11 under par following an extraordinary final round.
On his 11th attempt to join golf’s most exclusive club and 3,900 days after his last major victory in the 2014 US PGA, McIlroy almost threw away a five-shot lead before claiming a coveted green jacket at a pulsating Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy finally ends decade of pain with dramatic Masters win to seal grand slam
Rory McIlroy: "I wondered if it would ever be my time"
Here’s what Rory McIlroy had to say about that remarkable victory.
Speaking in the Butler Cabin, McIlroy said: “It feels incredible. This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time.
“The last 10 years coming here with burden of the grand slam on my shoulders, trying to achieve that... I wonder what we’ll talk about going into next year’s Masters!
“I’m honoured, thrilled and so proud to call myself Masters champion.
“When I went into the creek at the 13th, I’m really pleased with how I bounced back. And the double bogey at the 1st as well. I was really nervous at the 1st but it got me into it.
“How I responded to setbacks is what I’ll take from this week - I bounced back when I needed to.
“This was 14 years in making, since going out with four-shot lead in 2011. I could have done it there and there was a lot of pent-up emotion that came out on the 18th green. A moment like that makes all the years and close calls worth it.”
Rory McIlroy to give his thoughts
McIlroy will be in the Butler Cabin and give his thoughts on that remarkable victory shortly. What drama.
And spare a thought for Justin Rose, who played so well to force an unlikely play-off but now has two Masters play-off losses on his CV.
Masters prize money
He couldn’t care less right now but here’s what McIlroy has won in terms of prize money
He claims a record $4.2m, while the overall purse is up to $21m.
2025 prize money for top 10 (via the PGA Tour)
1st - $4,200,000
2nd - $2,268,000
3rd - $1,428,000
4th - $1,008,000
5th - $840,000
6th - $756,000
7th - $703,500
8th - $651,000
9th - $609,000
10th - $567,000
Rory McIlroy wins the Masters
This is history. Absolutely incredible scenes
WATCH: Rory McIlroy wins the Masters
Here’s that magic moment. When Rory McIlroy won the Masters.
What drama but what a moment
Emotional Rory McIlroy wins the Masters
Hands in the air initially, then he drops to the floor in tears. Then back up to hug his caddy Harry Diamond. Unbelievable! Rory McIlroy finally completes the career grand slam - just the sixth man in history!
A long hug with Justin Rose. Great sportsmanship from the Ryder Cup teammate to McIlroy. WOW!
RORY MCILROY WINS THE MASTERS
You don’t get many second chances in life. McIlroy has one here. Four feet for birdie to win the Masters. Other side of the hole from the one he missed.
Strikes it AND IT’S THERE! THIS TIME HE’S DONE IT! RORY MCILROY WINS THE MASTERS AND THE CAREER GRAND SLAM
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