Seventeen tries. Endless near-misses. But finally, Rory McIlroy can say he's a Masters champion. In a thrilling 2025 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, McIlroy outlasted Justin Rose in a heart-stopping playoff to win his fifth major championship — and achieve the highly coveted career Grand Slam.

Masters 2025 Ends in Epic Playoff Showdown

Rory McIlroy Wins the Masters 2025, Captures Elusive Green Jacket Rory McIlroy Wins the Masters 2025, Captures Elusive Green Jacket
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The last round was an emotional rollercoaster, with McIlroy ahead by up to five strokes before Justin Rose mounted a dramatic comeback with a breathtaking 10 birdies on Sunday. According to NBC News, two legends tied at 11-under in regulation, paving the way for the first Masters playoff since 2017.

McIlroy didn't hesitate. On the first hole of a playoff, he sank a birdie to secure victory and end Augusta's misery that spanned years. With that, McIlroy became part of an exclusive club as only the sixth player in history to win the Grand Slam.

"It feels incredible. This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time," McIlroy said in a broadcast.

Justin Rose's Heroic Push Falls Just Short

For Justin Rose, the day was brilliant and bittersweet. The Englishman shot a masterful closing round of 66 and took McIlroy to the brink. But for the second time in his career, Rose lost in a Masters playoff.

Despite that, his play, defined by accurate putting and dogged momentum, earned him universal praise. If he had won, Rose would have been the oldest first-time champion in tournament history.

Top Masters 2025 Final Leaderboard:

  1. Rory McIlroy: -11 (won in playoff)
  2. Justin Rose: -11
  3. Patrick Reed: -9
  4. Scottie Scheffler: -8
  5. Bryson DeChambeau: -7

Scheffler, DeChambeau, and Reed Battle in the Shadows

Scottie Scheffler, who was defending the title, lost his bid to repeat, at 8-under, after grudgingly looking for consistency throughout. "I just didn't have my best stuff this week," he owned up.

Patrick Reed put on a solid closing round to finish third, while Bryson DeChambeau took the lead momentarily before wilting on the back nine.

McIlroy Exorcises 2011 Demons

According to USA Today, the win is also one of redemption. In 2011, McIlroy notoriously imploded in Augusta after taking a lead into the final round. This time, he fought through double bogeys, pressure situations, and a charging Rose to finally tame the course — and his demons.

Rory McIlroy's Masters Journey Ends in Triumph

With almost two decades of top-level play, McIlroy's Augusta victory caps his legacy. In doing so, he joins the immortals of golf and finally lays to rest the burden of the one championship that had evaded him.

"A moment like this," McIlroy stated, "makes all the heartbreak worth it."