Masters 2025: Reaction to Rory McIlroy playoff win to claim grand slam triumph, shot on Hole 15, final round at Augusta National, leaderboard, video, highlights, reaction

The sporting world has been left in awe after Rory McIlroy’s emotional 11-year rollercoaster culminated in an unforgettable Masters triumph on Monday morning (AEST).

McIlroy became the sixth man to complete golf’s career Grand Slam with a gritty playoff victory over Justin Rose in the 89th Masters.

'I've got to go get a green jacket' | 02:15

The Northern Ireland star, who had come up empty at Augusta National in 10 prior attempts to complete his collection of all four majors, birdied the first hole of a sudden death playoff as Rose settled for par.

The emotional triumph followed an agonising bogey at the 72nd hole that dropped McIlroy into the playoff.

“The long journey is over. McIlroy has his masterpiece!” veteran commentator Jim Nantz declared after McIlroy sank his playoff hole putt.

Former pro Brandel Chamblee couldn’t believed what he’d witnessed across the final round.

“I think that was the wildest day that I’ve ever seen in the history of major championship golf. It’s likely we will never see another day like this in the history of the game,” Chamblee told the host broadcaster.

McIlroy was overcome with emotion as he celebrated the win with friends and family. Nantz described McIlroy’s reaction “as authentic as anything anyone’s seen”.

Co-commentator Trevor Immelman added: “He’s been holding that reaction in since 2014.”

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates winning the 2025 Masters Tournament. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Golf commentator Luke Elvy congratulated McIlroy on his win, declaring the “gorilla is officially off your back”.

“As good as sport gets, had absolutely everything,” Elvy wrote on X.

Senior golf writer Dan Rapaport declared McIlroy now had “nothing left to prove” and reached “golfing immortality”.

“The way Rory McIlroy just slayed his white whale is a microcosm for his career,” Rapaport wrote on X.

Tears flow as Rory FINALLY gets jacket | 04:12

“Jaw-dropping natural ability. Exhilarating runs of genius. Torturous setbacks. And he just keeps coming back.

“A Masters champion. The career Grand Slam. The greatest player of his generation.”

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal, who had his fair share of heartbreak on the court during his brilliant career, wrote on X: “Congratulations @McIlroyRory! You deserved to win!”

Earlier, McIlroy produced one of the greatest shots of his career during the final stages of the Masters to reclaim the lead in dramatic fashion.

The Irish star was leading by three shots in the final round at Augusta National before a double bogey on Hole 13 and a bogey on the 14th put him equal with England’s Justin Rose and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg.

SO CLOSE! Rory's miss forces playoff | 02:33

Three days earlier, McIlroy made a double bogey on the par-five Hole 15 to ruin a golden start in the first round – but the 35-year-old made no such mistakes on Monday.

From near the edge of the fairway, McIlroy curved his second shot around a line of trees from more than 200 yards with a seven-iron, with the ball landing on the green and rolling within putting distance of the hole. The crowd rose to its feet to celebrate the clutch effort, prompting chants of “Rory, Rory”.

“Maybe the shot of his life,” three time Masters champion Nick Faldo said in commentary.

'The shot of a lifetime!' | 02:07

McIlroy failed to convert the eagle after missing a nervy putt, but he reclaimed the lead having sealed the birdie.

In another twist, Rose drained a birdie putt on the 18th hole minutes later to set up a thrilling finale.

However, McIlroy then made a birdie on Hole 16 to take the lead and put himself within touching distance of a maiden Masters crown.

But on the 18th hole, he found the bunker and missed an awkward putt for a bogey, blowing a 4-shot lead on the back nine and forcing a playoff with Rose, the first at the Masters since 2017.

WILD: Rory begs his ball... it delivers | 01:24

But McIlroy held his nerve against Rose in the playoff hole to claim victory.

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