After over a decade of close calls and heartbreak, Rory McIlroy finally captured the green jacket at the 2025 Masters, winning in a dramatic playoff over Justin Rose. With the victory, McIlroy becomes just the sixth player in history to complete golf’s career Grand Slam, joining legends like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.

The win didn’t come easily. McIlroy held a two-shot lead heading into Sunday but opened with a double bogey on the first hole, immediately tightening the leaderboard. Over the course of the round, his play was steady but far from perfect. Mistakes on the back nine, highlighted by his approach on hole 13 where he chipped into the water, let others back into contention.

Justin Rose, playing several groups ahead, mounted an impressive charge with a bogey-free 66 to tie McIlroy at 11-under after 72 holes. The tournament went to a playoff — the first at Augusta since 2017. On the 18th hole, both players found the fairway, but McIlroy hit his approach closer. After Rose missed a long birdie try, McIlroy converted from four feet to secure the win.

Elsewhere on the leaderboard, Bryson DeChambeau made headlines early, shooting a first-round 66 and taking the 18-hole lead. However, his aggressive style unraveled by Saturday, and a string of bogeys saw him tumble out of contention. He finished tied for 5th, another Masters where his strategy didn’t pay off, but his confidence continues to rise.

While McIlroy’s win was historic, it wasn’t flawless. His final-round 73 was the highest by a winner since 2007. Still, it was enough. “I have dreamt about this moment for as long as I can remember” said Rory after a career defined by raw talent and lofty expectations, had finally found the missing piece in Augusta.