The Masters

By: Aidan O'Callaghan '26

​On Sunday, April 13, 2025, Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament, his fifth major, and completed his career grand slam by winning all four majors. He was the sixth person to complete this feat, with Tiger Woods being the last to achieve it in 2000. Rory started off the tournament very slow, ending his first round even par with two double bogeys, which left people wondering whether he would make the cut or not; however, he was able to bounce back in the second round and shot a 66 (-6) and ended the day in 3rd place behind Justin Rose and Bryson DeChambeau. On moving day, he was able to repeat this incredible performance and ended the day -12, with a two-shot lead over DeChambeau. Going into the final round, tensions were high, as these two titans of the sport were about to go head to head as the final pairing, with a green jacket on the line. Things started off incredibly shaky for McIlroy, and he double bogeyed the first hole, with DeChambeau gaining the lead by the second hole; however, slowly but steadily, McIlroy gained his confidence and his lead back, gaining a four stroke lead going into the 13th hole. He had played incredibly well on this hole all week scoring -4 on this hole alone; however, after a layup, he sent his ball into the water, and missed a crucial putt, ending the hole with yet another double bogey. This was his fourth double bogey of the week, and no winner of the masters had ever had more than three. At this point, Justin Rose, who was having an incredible round, was able to tie the score, before gaining the lead when Rory bogeyed the very next hole; however, with some incredible approach shots on 15 and 17, Rory was able to regain the lead and it seemed as if he had the tournament in the bag, all he needed was a par. He played the hole very well, and gave himself a five-foot putt to win the Masters. But he missed! This sent the tournament into a playoff, and Justin Rose, who had just birdied the 18th, seemed a possible come-from-behind favorite to win. Despite this, Rory played the playoff hole perfectly, placing the ball within three feet of the hole, and solidifying his Masters title. This is yet another trophy in McIlroy’s overflowing cabinet, and he undoubtedly will continue to succeed this year and in the years to come.