AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy finally did it. After 11 long years of major championship heartbreak, he captured the elusive Masters title Sunday in dramatic fashion, hitting a wedge to 3 feet in a sudden-death playoff to defeat Justin Rose and complete golf’s career Grand Slam.
What should have been a comfortable victory turned into a rollercoaster of emotions at Augusta National. McIlroy’s four-shot lead evaporated on the back nine before he steadied himself, only to miss a 5-foot par putt on the 72nd hole that would’ve sealed the win.
But when it mattered most, McIlroy delivered. His perfect approach in the playoff left a tap-in birdie, joining Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen in golf’s most exclusive club.
“My dreams have been made today,” McIlroy said, the green jacket draped over his shoulders during the trophy presentation.
Speaking to his 4-year-old daughter Poppy moments later, he added: “Never give up on your dreams. Never, ever give up on your dreams.”
For Rose, it was another Masters heartbreak. The Englishman, who lost to Sergio Garcia in a playoff in 2017, joins Ben Hogan as the only players to lose twice in Masters playoffs.
“It’s the kind of putt you dream about as a kid,” Rose said of his clutch 20-footer on the 18th that forced the playoff. “Unfortunately, playoffs end so quickly. If you’re not the guy to hit the great shot or hole the great putt, it’s over.”
McIlroy’s victory didn’t come easy. He set a Masters record as the first champion to make four double bogeys — two in the first round that put him seven shots behind, and two more on Sunday that nearly cost him everything.
“I didn’t make it easy today,” McIlroy admitted.
He lost a two-shot lead in the first two holes. Then, holding a four-shot advantage on the back nine, everything unraveled in a span of three holes with shocking misses, including a wedge into Rae’s Creek on the par-5 13th.
The Collapse and Comeback
Nothing was more stunning than McIlroy’s meltdown at the 13th. Playing it safe off the tee, he had just a lob wedge in hand but missed his target by 20 yards, finding the tributary of Rae’s Creek and making double bogey.
When Rose birdied the par-3 16th from 4 feet, they were suddenly tied. McIlroy then bogeyed the 14th after a poor drive, and his lead was gone.
But McIlroy’s resilience — a hallmark of his career — showed up when he needed it most. From the left rough on 15, he threaded a 7-iron around trees and onto the green to 6 feet. Though he missed the eagle putt, the birdie pulled him back into a share of the lead.
Two holes later, facing a semi-blind shot on 17, he struck a perfect 8-iron, chasing after it while shouting “Go! Go! Go! Go!” The ball barely cleared the bunker and rolled to 2 feet for a birdie and a one-shot lead.
It still wasn’t enough. McIlroy’s 5-foot par putt on 18 slid by, setting up the playoff with Rose, who had earlier rolled in that clutch 20-footer to force extra holes.
This time, McIlroy wouldn’t falter. His approach in the playoff was perfection, and when Rose missed his birdie try, the 35-year-old from Northern Ireland fell to his knees, overcome with emotion.
“This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time,” he said in Butler Cabin. “I think the last 10 years coming here with the burden of the Grand Slam on my shoulders and trying to achieve that… there was a lot of pent-up emotion that just came out on that 18th green.”
A Wild Sunday at Augusta
The final round featured more twists than a mountain road. U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau briefly took the lead after McIlroy’s opening double bogey but imploded with a pair of three-putts and two water balls on the back nine, closing with a 75.
Ludvig Åberg, last year’s runner-up in his Masters debut, grabbed a share of the lead when McIlroy stumbled mid-round. But the young Swede missed a crucial birdie putt from the fringe that would’ve given him the outright lead, then finished bogey-triple bogey to fall out of contention.
Rose, seven shots back to start the day after a disappointing 75 on Saturday, charged with a 10-birdie round of 66 to force the playoff.
Former Masters champion Patrick Reed finished third at 9-under after a closing 69, while world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, seeking his third green jacket in four years, never got on track but still managed a 69 to finish fourth.
McIlroy’s third win this year gives him 40 titles worldwide. It took him 11 attempts to complete the career Grand Slam — the longest any of the previous five players needed was three tries.
Next up is the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, where McIlroy has already won four times. After conquering his Augusta demons, who would bet against him now?
