Rory McIlroy etched his name alongside golf’s most celebrated figures, achieving a rare feat at The Masters tournament this past Sunday.
McIlroy secured his place among an elite group, becoming just the sixth golfer in history to complete what is known as a career Grand Slam – victories at all four premier major championships: The Masters, The PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. This elusive triumph at Augusta National has been a long-held ambition for McIlroy, his first major win since claiming The Open in 2014.
The victory was met with immediate recognition from golfing legend Tiger Woods.
“Welcome to the club,” Woods wrote on X. “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!”
Woods was notably absent from the event due to an Achilles injury that continues to impact his mobility. While speculation arose about his attendance at the Champions Dinner, he was unable to partake in the festivities hosted by reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler.
Despite Woods’ absence, a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect remained evident between the two golfing titans.
McIlroy has long acknowledged Woods’ encouraging presence within the exclusive Grand Slam club, where annual reminders about his potential to claim victory at Augusta fueled his determination. Prior to McIlroy’s achievement on Sunday, only five other golfers – Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus – had ever completed this prestigious accomplishment.
The path to victory was far from straightforward.
- McIlroy navigated a turbulent final round marked by both exhilarating highs and frustrating setbacks.
- A missed par putt on the 72nd hole sent the competition into a sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose.
However, McIlroy demonstrated resilience, delivering crucial drives and approach shots on the 18th to secure a short birdie putt for the win, finally lifting the weight off his shoulders. As Scottie Scheffler draped the iconic green jacket over McIlroy’s shoulders in Butler Cabin, history was made.
