After years of dedication and setbacks, Rory McIlroy finally triumphed at the 2025 Masters Tournament on Sunday, April 13, earning an outpouring of praise from the golfing community. Among those who congratulated him was Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion (2004, 2006, 2010), who competed in this year’s event but missed the cut after finishing with a score of +5 through the first two rounds. Mickelson acknowledged McIlroy’s accomplishment on social media, praising his victory and his completion of the career grand slam.
The career grand slam in golf is an elite achievement that involves winning all four major championships—The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship—at least once during a player’s career. Before this win, the Masters was the only major McIlroy had not secured. With his victory, he becomes the sixth golfer in history to complete this rare feat, joining the ranks of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen.
McIlroy, 35, clinched the green jacket after a dramatic playoff against Justin Rose. Both players ended regulation play tied at 11-under-par over 72 holes. In the playoff, held on the 18th hole, Rose managed a par, while McIlroy delivered a stunning second shot and followed it up by sinking a short birdie putt, sealing the win. Emotion overwhelmed McIlroy as he secured one of the most significant milestones of his career.