Fresh off a challenging attempt at a Super Bowl three-peat, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes traded high-stakes football for a laid-back Sunday on the couch, tuned in to the dramatic finish of the 2025 Masters. Known for his cool under pressure and thrilling performances, Mahomes found himself captivated by a different kind of clutch performance—this time, from golfer Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy, long chasing the elusive career Grand Slam, delivered a heart-pounding finish worthy of any high-drama sports moment. For Mahomes, it was must-watch television. When McIlroy sank a birdie putt in a sudden-death playoff to claim his first green jacket, Mahomes took to social media with awe: “Wow. Wow. Wow.” He followed with more reactions like “Great golf!” and “Oh my what a golf shot! #Masters,” expressing the same thrill that millions of fans felt as McIlroy flirted with collapse but ultimately triumphed.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 13, 2025
The final round was anything but smooth sailing. Leading by four strokes on the back nine, McIlroy stumbled—a double bogey on the 13th, a bunker mishap on the 18th, and a short missed putt that forced a playoff with Justin Rose. But, channeling nerves into brilliance, McIlroy’s playoff wedge shot landed within three feet of the hole, and he sank the putt to finally claim victory at Augusta. His win not only earned him $4.2 million—a Masters record—but also elevated him into elite company alongside the likes of Woods, Nicklaus, Player, Hogan, and Sarazen.
Mahomes, no stranger to pressure himself, resonated with the moment. His final message to McIlroy was brief but powerful: “Congrats!! @McIlroyRory.” The Chiefs star has long been connected to golf—not just as a fan, but as a participant in events like The Match and a friendly trash-talker with Tom Brady on the course. His admiration came from experience, not distance.
McIlroy’s win echoed themes Mahomes knows all too well. Just as the Chiefs suffered a heartbreaking playoff loss in 2023 only to rebound with a title the next year, McIlroy had endured years of close calls and heartbreaks at Augusta. Both athletes have experienced the sting of defeat and the strength of a comeback.
For Mahomes and McIlroy, greatness isn’t about flawless performances—it’s about perseverance, finding ways to rise when it matters most. As the sun set on Augusta National, McIlroy’s victory became more than a championship—it became a symbol of resilience and redemption. And Mahomes, watching from afar, clearly understood the weight of that moment.