Fueled by Faith Rory McIlroy Wins 2025 Masters and Completes Historic Grand Slam
Northern Irish professional golfer Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters tournament on Sunday, marking the first time he won a major championship in 11 years.
"Best day of my golfing life," said McIlroy following the playoff. "I'm very proud of myself. I'm very proud of never giving up. I'm proud of when I kept coming back and dusting myself off and not letting the disappointments get to me."
Fellow golfers and friends, including Shane Lowry and Justin Rose, who were also part of the playoff, congratulated McIlroy for the historic win.
"For him, it's been everything," Lowry said. "He might tell you different, but winning this has been everything for him for the past 10 years. Just delighted for him. Very happy and proud."
"I didn't have a very good day myself, and when I reflect, this is another good example of no matter how tough things get, you keep trying."
Tommy Fleetwood, a fellow golfer and teammate of Rory McIlroy's on Europe's Ryder Cup squad, reflected on McIlroy's long-anticipated triumph. "There's nobody who's ever watched Rory McIlroy play golf or been around him who didn't think he would win the Masters one day," he said. "I think the boys always had faith in him, and he had a lot of faith in himself. He just hits shots that a lot of us can't hit. I'm just so happy for him. I always thought he was going to do it, and he's done it."
McIlroy, a now 5-major champion, has previously won the 2014 Open Championship, 2014 PGA Championship, and the 2011 U.S. Open, 2012. His historic Masters victory on Sunday now makes him the sixth golfer to achieve the career grand slam joining the likes of PGA Tour legends Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only golfers in history to achieve that milestone.
"Welcome to the club, [Rory McIlroy]. 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, a 5-time Masters winner, wrote on X in a congratulatory message to Mcllory.
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
McIlroy, a Catholic, has previously addressed his faith as well as his Northern Irish identity.
"Not everyone is [driven by] nationalism and patriotism, and that's never been me because I felt like I grew up in a place where I wasn't allowed to be," Rory told the Belfast Telegraph. "It was suppressed. I'm very conflicted because I'm a Catholic, and I turned on the TV at home, and it was the BBC; I did my GCSEs; I used pounds sterling, stuff like that. So I'm a Catholic, but I feel very much Northern Irish, and I never wanted it to get political or about where I'm from, but that's what it turned into. And it just got to the point where it wasn't worth the hassle."
Growing up, McIlroy's parents sent him to a religiously diverse school after his great uncle Joe was murdered in his home in 1972 because he moved his Catholic family into a Protestant neighborhood.
"But the McIlroys instead sent their golfing prodigy to a school where children on both sides of the religious divide were welcomed. A school whose motto is Lámh Foisdineach An Uachtar, which means, "With the gentle hand foremost," Fox Sports reported.
"And with a gentle hand, foremost, Rory McIlroy seems determined to bring together his people — whether they be Irish or British."
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Ben Jared/Contributor
Originally published April 14, 2025.
