{"id":200,"date":"2025-04-29T13:48:46","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T13:48:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/?p=200"},"modified":"2025-04-29T13:48:46","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T13:48:46","slug":"was-rory-mcilroys-epic-masters-win-the-greatest-major-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/?p=200","title":{"rendered":"Was Rory McIlroy\u2019s Epic Masters Win The Greatest Major Of All Time?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/newscr.bio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/28-1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-hitmag-featured size-hitmag-featured wp-post-image\" src=\"https:\/\/newscr.bio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/28-1-735x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"735\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<div class=\"image image--hero\">\n<div class=\"caption__text--hero\">\n<div class=\"image image--hero\">\n<div class=\"caption__text--hero\">The 2025 Masters Tournament will go down in history as one of the greatest ever\u2026 but is it the best?<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"left-rail-area\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"article__topcontainer\">\n<div class=\"leaderboard__container\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"article__container article__container-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row items-start sm:items-center text-left text-zinc-900 uppercase text-xs\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n<div class=\"h-12 w-12 mr-2\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-cover h-full w-full rounded-full min-w-12\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m3GNS9Av9RCsTNgZkEddFk.jpg\" alt=\"Barry Plummer's avatar\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row\">\n<div class=\"mr-1 whitespace-nowrap\">By\u00a0<a class=\"whitespace-nowrap text-zinc-900 hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/author\/barry-plummer\" rel=\"author noopener\" aria-label=\"View profile for Barry Plummer\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/author\/barry-plummer\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/author\/barry-plummer\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"1320118734535825967\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Barry Plummer\" target=\"_blank\">Barry Plummer<\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"text-stone-500 whitespace-nowrap\">published\u00a0<time class=\"relative-date\" datetime=\"2025-04-14T10:14:19Z\" data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\">2 weeks ago<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"article__body \">\n<p>After a gruelling 11-year wait,\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/rory-mcilroy\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/rory-mcilroy\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/rory-mcilroy\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"1239545370117508691\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Rory McIlroy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rory McIlroy<\/a>\u00a0finally ended his lengthy Major drought and\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/rory-mcilroy-wins-the-masters-2025\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/rory-mcilroy-wins-the-masters-2025\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/rory-mcilroy-wins-the-masters-2025\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"1458054541789404058\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"completed the Career Grand Slam by winning The Masters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">completed the Career Grand Slam by winning The Masters<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Just let that sink in for a moment. For years we have talked about McIlroy\u2019s inability to convert strong PGA Tour form to into Major wins, with some doubting whether he would ever get over the line at\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/travel\/usa\/how-can-i-play-augusta-national-66516\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/travel\/usa\/how-can-i-play-augusta-national-66516\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/travel\/usa\/how-can-i-play-augusta-national-66516\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"4714971337204344411\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Augusta National\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Augusta National<\/a>.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"hawk-base hawk-processed\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" data-widget-id=\"678bc79d-7112-48df-9b33-47248b26afdb\" data-result=\"missing\"><\/aside>\n<p>I fancied him from the moment he won The Players a few weeks back, which is why I picked him as my top betting pick before the tournament, but I couldn\u2019t have predicted just how enthralling the victory would be.<\/p>\n<p>Despite being\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/features\/i-am-so-fed-up-with-the-masters-television-coverage-why-cant-we-watch-a-full-days-play\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/features\/i-am-so-fed-up-with-the-masters-television-coverage-why-cant-we-watch-a-full-days-play\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/features\/i-am-so-fed-up-with-the-masters-television-coverage-why-cant-we-watch-a-full-days-play\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"2268227573273443542\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"fed up with The Masters TV coverage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fed up with The Masters TV coverage<\/a>\u00a0earlier in the week, something I firmly believe needs addressing in the future, I was still engaged by the compelling storylines that each round provided.<\/p>\n<p>With McIlroy in the final group on Sunday, it was almost inevitable that we would witness more drama \u2013 as things are rarely straightforward when the former World No.1 is in contention at a Major.<\/p>\n<p>I enjoyed the 89th edition more than I can remember enjoying any other Masters Tournament, but what made it so captivating? I have some ideas, but I\u2019m keen to hear what you think too. Let me know your view in the comments below\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"jwplayer__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"jwplayer__wrapper\">\n<div id=\"futr_botr_5SZ5DIbN_vQXY5eDU_div\" class=\"future__jwplayer\">\n<div id=\"botr_5SZ5DIbN_vQXY5eDU_div\" class=\"jwplayer jw-reset jw-state-setup jw-stretch-uniform jw-flag-aspect-mode\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"application\" aria-label=\"Video Player\">\n<div class=\"jw-aspect jw-reset\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"jw-wrapper jw-reset\">\n<div class=\"jw-top jw-reset\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"jw-aspect jw-reset\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"jw-media jw-reset\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"jw-overlays jw-reset\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"jw-hidden-accessibility\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"afs_ads ad-placement\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"was-the-89th-masters-the-most-dramatic-tournament-ever-3\">Was The 89th Masters The Most Dramatic Tournament Ever?<\/h2>\n<p>There are plenty of memorable Masters Tournaments that come to mind when considering whether this particular edition was the most dramatic, with flashbacks of Nicklaus in 1986, Arnold Palmer in 1964, Seve in 1980 and\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/tiger-woods\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/tiger-woods\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/tiger-woods\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"8203280287234559060\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Tiger\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tiger<\/a>\u2018s win in 2019 (or pretty much any of his five, actually).<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-PTwNSjuZtkXVpNBM7LmwoW\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-PTwNSjuZtkXVpNBM7LmwoW slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<h2 class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer\u2019s guides from our team of experienced experts.<\/p>\n<form class=\"newsletter-form__form newsletter-form__form--inbodyContent\" action=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit\" method=\"POST\" data-hydrate=\"true\"><input class=\"form__email-input form_input form__email-input form__email-input--inbodyContent\" name=\"MAIL\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" placeholder=\"Your Email Address\" data-hydrate=\"true\" \/><label class=\"form__checkbox-label\"><input class=\"form__checkbox-input form_input form__checkbox-input form__checkbox-input--inbodyContent\" name=\"CONTACT_OTHER_BRANDS\" type=\"checkbox\" data-hydrate=\"true\" \/>Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands<\/label><label class=\"form__checkbox-label\"><input class=\"form__checkbox-input form_input form__checkbox-input form__checkbox-input--inbodyContent\" name=\"CONTACT_PARTNERS\" type=\"checkbox\" data-hydrate=\"true\" \/>Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors<\/label><input class=\"form__submit-input form_input form__submit-input form__submit-input--inbodyContent\" required=\"\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Sign me up\" data-hydrate=\"true\" \/><\/form>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer\">By submitting your information you agree to the\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/terms-conditions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-url=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/terms-conditions\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"1239227806941987478\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Terms &amp; Conditions\">Terms &amp; Conditions<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-url=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/privacy-policy\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"7820148497279008019\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Privacy Policy\">Privacy Policy<\/a>\u00a0and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>While each of those were special for their own reason, I can\u2019t remember a time where we saw such a volatile, dynamic leaderboard across 72-holes.p<\/p>\n<p>After a few years of predictability at Augusta National, it was great to feel the buzz of anticipation down the stretch once again, but I believe it was these four aspects that awarded this particular tournament its legendary status\u2026<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"1-the-playoff-3\">1. The Playoff<\/h2>\n<p>The last\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/how-many-playoffs-have-there-been-at-the-masters\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/how-many-playoffs-have-there-been-at-the-masters\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/how-many-playoffs-have-there-been-at-the-masters\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"3590240034079273644\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"playoff at The Masters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">playoff at The Masters<\/a>\u00a0was contested back in 2017, interestingly also featuring\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/justin-rose\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/justin-rose\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/justin-rose\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"1116048561656735362\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Justin Rose\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Justin Rose<\/a>, as\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/sergio-garcia\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/sergio-garcia\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/sergio-garcia\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"5514919168994179462\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Sergio Garcia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sergio Garcia<\/a>\u00a0battled past the Englishman to win his Green Jacket.<\/p>\n<p>The stomach-sinking, gut-wrenching jeopardy of a playoff in the biggest tournament in golf provides a feeling so rare that it\u2019s hard to replicate.<\/p>\n<p>I can recall a similar sensation when watching England in World Cup or European Championship penalty shoot outs, but the addictively horrendous state is something that can only be found when you are emotionally invested in a storied journey.<\/p>\n<p>After watching Rory miss his short putt in regulation time, I couldn\u2019t help but fear that history was repeating itself for the Northern Irishman. Everyone could see the nerves he was experiencing, but the strength of mind and body to overcome that and emerge victorious truly made it the best possible way to win The Masters.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE-320-80.jpg 320w\" alt=\"Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose embracing at the conclusion of the 2017 Masters playoff that Sergio Garcia had just emerged victorious from\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Hdtc6QQP2QTsnnGepU8EE.jpg\" \/><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inline-layout \">\n<div class=\"caption-text\">\n<p>The last playoff at The Masters was eight years ago, contested between eventual winner Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><div class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"2-double-bogeys-galore-3\">2. Double-Bogeys Galore<\/h2>\n<p>Have you ever wondered,\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/features\/how-often-do-golfers-win-majors-with-a-double-bogey-on-the-scorecard-i-looked-at-every-mens-winners-card-since-2000-to-find-out\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/features\/how-often-do-golfers-win-majors-with-a-double-bogey-on-the-scorecard-i-looked-at-every-mens-winners-card-since-2000-to-find-out\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/features\/how-often-do-golfers-win-majors-with-a-double-bogey-on-the-scorecard-i-looked-at-every-mens-winners-card-since-2000-to-find-out\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"6266442569515474755\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"how often do golfers win Majors with a double-bogey on their scorecard?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how often do golfers win Majors with a double-bogey on their scorecard?<\/a>\u00a0The answer is not many \u2013 in fact, it\u2019s just 38% of the 100 Major winners since the turn of the millennium.<\/p>\n<p>Well, Rory McIlroy not only carded one double-bogey\u2026 he actually recorded four of them!\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/bryson-dechambeau\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/bryson-dechambeau\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/bryson-dechambeau\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"2649811410022268365\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Bryson DeChambeau\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bryson DeChambeau<\/a>, Ludvig Aberg and\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/xander-schauffele\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/xander-schauffele\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/xander-schauffele\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"6518498751022277868\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Xander Schauffele\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Xander Schauffele<\/a>\u00a0even threw one in for good measure.<\/p>\n<p>With the volatility in scoring, the leaderboard changed with exciting regularity. Nobody had the chance to run away with proceedings, although Rory tried a few times, and that kept us interested all the way through the event.<\/p>\n<p>In the final round, it looked as though any one of about six players could realistically win the\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tour\/the-masters\/masters-green-jacket\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tour\/the-masters\/masters-green-jacket\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tour\/the-masters\/masters-green-jacket\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"9540530377399768414\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Green Jacket\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Green Jacket<\/a>, with two-shot swings galore keeping patrons and expectant golf fans around the world glued to the action.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"3-a-mesmeric-highlights-reel-3\">3. A Mesmeric Highlights Reel<\/h2>\n<p>Some of the shots on display at Augusta National this week were outrageously good.<\/p>\n<p>Just in the final round we saw Rose hole a clutch putt on 18 to pile the pressure on Rory who was yet to reach the final hole, McIlroy himself stuff one in fairly close on 15, 16 and 17 under immense pressure and even\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/patrick-reed\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/patrick-reed\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/patrick-reed\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"5281106639551882147\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Patrick Reed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patrick Reed<\/a>\u00a0clambering his way up the leaderboard with a hole-out eagle on the penultimate hole.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier in the round we also saw Rory recover from a horrific start with birdies on holes three and four, breaking tradition with his score on the latter.<\/p>\n<p>No champion in the past ten years has played the par-3 fourth hole at Augusta National under par, but Rory McIlroy wasn\u2019t having any of that.<\/p>\n<p>His tee shot on four required a precise strike, taking on the bunker that had admirably guarded the flag to that point. The ball landed softly just to the left of the pin, leaving a difficult but makeable putt that Rory would convert.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE-320-80.jpg 320w\" alt=\"Rory McIlroy hooking his second shot around the trees on the 15th hole at Augusta National, setting up an eagle putt in the final round of The Masters in 2025\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RTpjmnkvZnNfq84wp3BLEE.jpg\" \/><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inline-layout \">\n<div class=\"caption-text\">\n<p>Rory McIlroy\u2019s second shot on the 15th at Augusta National will go down in history as one of the most iconic shots<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><div class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Justin Rose also birdied six of his last nine holes to force the playoff, carding incredible twos on both the difficult par-3 holes at 12 and 16.<\/p>\n<p>Only one other player in the top-5 birdied the 16th, but it came after the tournament had already escaped DeChambeau\u2019s grasp.<\/p>\n<p>After a\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/features\/the-masters-is-getting-to-a-point-where-its-turning-off-new-golf-fans-viewers-express-irritation-at-lack-of-bryson-dechambeau-coverage\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/features\/the-masters-is-getting-to-a-point-where-its-turning-off-new-golf-fans-viewers-express-irritation-at-lack-of-bryson-dechambeau-coverage\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/features\/the-masters-is-getting-to-a-point-where-its-turning-off-new-golf-fans-viewers-express-irritation-at-lack-of-bryson-dechambeau-coverage\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"1029690169513260821\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"lack of Bryson DeChambeau coverage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lack of Bryson DeChambeau coverage<\/a>\u00a0earlier in the week it appeared we missed the best of his performances at The Masters due to frustrating TV restrictions on Friday.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"4-toe-curling-blunders-3\">4. Toe Curling Blunders<\/h2>\n<p>It can\u2019t all be sunshine and rainbows, because real drama requires a little adversity.<\/p>\n<p>The resilience shown by Rory to pick himself up after more than a few mistakes was inspiring, and not something we have seen much from McIlroy in the past.<\/p>\n<p>My heart sank when he hit the ball in the creek on 13 from a great birdie-making position, as it did when he made a double-bogey on the first to blow his two shot overnight lead, and I thought that we could be about to witness history repeat itself.<\/p>\n<p>As Rory hit his second shot towards the 18th green on Sunday, it felt as though time stood still. The deafening silence was shattered by the thud of golf ball on sand and the eruption of anguish from the onlooking patrons.<\/p>\n<p>Bryson DeChambeau also threw in his fair share as his tournament unravelled, which only adds weight to the achievement of McIlroy to steady the ship and ultimately prevail.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE-320-80.jpg 320w\" alt=\"Rory McIlroy reacting to his third shot on the 13th hole at The Masters, during the final round at Augusta National\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7GDiJ9Kr9ztr8Y2GXwV7FE.jpg\" \/><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inline-layout \">\n<div class=\"caption-text\">\n<p>Rory McIlroy\u2019s third shot at the 13th hole during the final round of The Masters could easily have cost him the Green Jacket, but he rallied spectacularly to complete the Career Grand Slam<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><div class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Without any one of these four aspects the 89th Masters would not have been as magnificent as it turned out to be, and while I would never want to diminish the achievement of past champions at Augusta National, I honestly believe that the 2025 Masters could be the best ever edition of the first Major of the season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2025 Masters Tournament will go down in history as one of the greatest ever\u2026 but is it the best? (Image credit: Getty Images) By\u00a0Barry Plummer published\u00a02 weeks ago After &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=200"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":202,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200\/revisions\/202"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}