At long last, Rory McIlroy is a major championship winner again.
McIlroy won the Masters on Sunday by defeating Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff -- the 11th such playoff at the Masters since 1975 and first since 2017, when Sergio Garcia defeated Rose.
It's McIlroy's first major victory since the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla. McIlroy becomes the sixth player to win the career Grand Slam and first since Tiger Woods completed the feat in 2000, according to ESPN Research.
The major win for McIlroy didn't come without bumps in the road. He had four double bogeys in the tournament, including two in the first round. Entering this year, no player had won the Masters after making four double bogeys or worse in the week.
Rose's birdie on 18 momentarily tied him with McIlroy for the lead. McIlroy answered with a birdie on 17 to retake the lead, only to bogey the 18th hole to land in a playoff with Rose. McIlroy then won with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
Here's how the sports world reacted to McIlroy's victory.
Welcome to the club @McIlroyRory. Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special. Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you're a part of history. Proud of you!
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 14, 2025
I gave it everything....
— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) April 14, 2025
Congratulations @McIlroyRory on winning the @TheMasters and completing the Grand Slam.. very cool sharing the green with you in that moment...
Thank you Team🌹 as always for all the support during the week... We go again 👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/vLtMSEFxAs
Congrats!! @McIlroyRory
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 13, 2025
RORY!!!! pic.twitter.com/Re99ovmUlB
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 13, 2025
Congratulations @McIlroyRory! You deserved to win @themasters! 🥺👏🏻 https://t.co/EY4aws88c8
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) April 13, 2025
Way to gooooo grand slammmer!!! We all love you buddy!!!
— Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) April 13, 2025
Love,
Happy pic.twitter.com/h342o5JSnP
What in incredible Masters 😳
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) April 13, 2025
Congrats to Rory on his win and for completing the career grand slam. Amazing 👍
All-Time Memory.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) April 13, 2025
That was insane. #TheMasters
A long time coming. Congratulations, Rory. #themasters pic.twitter.com/f72nOxQbfw
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
Four majors made @McIlroyRory great. Completing a career Grand Slam, legendary. pic.twitter.com/inD1hyPkWr
— Nike (@Nike) April 13, 2025
RORY!!!
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) April 13, 2025
Get that man the green jacket 🏌️♂️
— MLB (@MLB) April 13, 2025
Rory McIlroy comes out on top in an epic showdown at @TheMasters! pic.twitter.com/g8p2BBXSpY
I lost 5lbs today watching golf. I can watch @TheMasters stress free for the rest of life...
— andre (@andre) April 13, 2025
What a day @TheMasters ⛳️
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) April 13, 2025
Congrats @McIlroyRory 🏆
