McIlroy’s victory came in a sudden-death playoff against fellow Brit Justin Rose, bringing a fitting end to one of the most memorable final rounds in recent Masters history.

The one he wanted most

McIlroy had already won the US Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship, but the Masters had always been the elusive one. Ever since his collapse in 2011, when he lost a four-shot lead on the final day, Augusta had seemed like a course that never quite allowed him to complete the set.

Each year brought new hope and, more often than not, disappointment. In 2025, everything finally fell into place.

A final round full of twists

McIlroy started the final round one shot off the lead and full of determination. But things got off to a terrible start with a double bogey on the 1st hole, where a poor tee shot and nervy putting saw him drop two shots straight away.

He didn’t let it rattle him. Birdies at the 3rd and 4th settled the nerves, and McIlroy stayed in the hunt through the front nine. But drama returned on the 13th, where a second shot into the water led to another double bogey.

At that point, many watching would have thought the Masters was slipping away from him once again. But McIlroy fought back. On the par-5 15th, he struck a superb approach to inside 10 feet and converted the birdie. He followed that with solid play on the final few holes to give himself a chance.

On the 18th, he had a five-foot putt to win the tournament outright. It slid past the hole, and the crowd let out a collective groan. A playoff would be needed.

Justin Rose pushes him all the way

McIlroy’s opponent in the playoff was Justin Rose. The Englishman had played steady, composed golf throughout the day and found himself level with McIlroy after 72 holes.

Rose, a former US Open champion and Olympic gold medallist, is no stranger to the big stage. He showed real grit to stay in contention and played a key part in making this one of the most exciting Masters finishes in recent memory.

The playoff returned to the 18th. Rose hit the fairway but left himself a longer putt for birdie. McIlroy, meanwhile, hit a precise wedge into the green, leaving just three feet for birdie. Rose missed his putt. McIlroy didn’t.

The Northern Irishman calmly rolled in the putt and lifted both arms in relief and celebration. After years of chasing, he had finally done it.

Emotion on the 18th green

As the crowd erupted, McIlroy made his way to his wife Erica and daughter Poppy. The three embraced on the green, creating one of the most touching moments of the tournament.

“It means the world,” McIlroy said afterwards. “I’ve waited a long time for this one. There were times I wondered if I’d ever do it, but I never stopped believing. To share it with my family makes it even more special.”

The Grand Slam completed

With this win, Rory McIlroy joins a group of only six players in golf history to win all four majors. The others are Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen. It is an extraordinary accomplishment that confirms his place among the all-time greats.

For McIlroy, it ends an 11-year wait since his last major title and brings closure to one of golf’s most talked-about storylines.

Final leaderboard – Masters 2025 (Top 10)

*McIlroy won in a sudden-death playoff

Rory McIlroy’s scores by round

Round 1: 70 (−2)
Round 2: 69 (−3)
Round 3: 70 (−2)
Round 4: 71 (−1)

Total: 280 (−8)

Rory’s tournament stats – Masters 2025

• Total score: 280 (−8)
• Driving distance (average): 308 yards
• Fairways hit: 43 of 56 (77%)
• Greens in regulation: 56 of 72 (78%)
• Putts per round: 28.2
• Birdies made: 18
• Double bogeys or worse: 2
• Playoff holes needed: 1
• Years since last major: 11 (last was 2014 PGA Championship)
• Career Grand Slam completed: Yes (6th golfer in history)

A proud day for golf in Britain and Ireland

Rory McIlroy’s victory at the 2025 Masters is more than a personal achievement. It is a proud moment for golf fans across the UK and Ireland. With Justin Rose also playing a key role in the final day drama, the spotlight shone brightly on British golf.

At YESGolfing.com, we celebrate moments like these. This win is about resilience, redemption and rising to the occasion when it matters most. McIlroy’s Green Jacket is not just a reward for four days of brilliance, but for years of hard work and perseverance.

Congratulations Rory. You’ve completed the journey.