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McIlroy defies Masters meltdown to clinch career slam
Murray Wenzel, AAP • April 14th, 2025 11:40 am
Photo: AP
Rory McIlroy has defied another Masters meltdown to win in a playoff from Justin Rose and become the first European to clinch golf's career grand slam.
The Northern Irishman was four shots clear through 10 holes but, as he did 14 years ago at Augusta National, stumbled with five dropped shots as Rose surged to finish level.
A bogey on the last hole of regulation forced a sudden-death playoff and both men had birdie putts on the first extra hole.
Rose's effort slid by, before McIlroy tapped in to clinch his maiden Masters title and first major in 11 years.
At last! Rory McIlroy reacts after winning his playoff with Justin Rose to clinch the Masters title | Photo: AP
The 35-year-old fell to the ground in relief after his putt dropped, having watched a par attempt on the same hole slide by minutes earlier that would have sealed the triumph in regulation.
Tiger Woods was the last man to win all four majors when he dominated the British Open in his first attempt at the career grand slam in 2000.
Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus are the only other members of the club.
The rollercoaster final day started with McIlroy two shots clear of Bryson DeChambeau, with the American briefly leading after just two holes before fading as the chasing pack surged.
Patrick Reed (nine under) holed out for eagle on the 17th to finish outright third.
Scottie Scheffler (eight under) was fourth and Australian Jason Day dropped shots on the last two holes to finish five under and in a tie for eighth.
McIlroy is the first champion to card four double bogeys.
Rose fell just short of executing the second-biggest Masters comeback after starting the final day seven shots behind. The former world No.1, US Open and Olympic champion, joins Greg Norman as a three-time Masters runner-up.
GOLF'S CAREER GRAND SLAM WINNERS
- Gene Sarazen: US Open (1922), PGA Championship (1922), The Open Championship (1932), Masters (1935)
- Ben Hogan: PGA Championship (1946), US Open (1948), Masters (1951), The Open Championship (1953)
- Gary Player: The Open Championship (1959), Masters (1961), PGA Championship (1962), US Open (1965)
- Jack Nicklaus: US Open (1962), Masters (1963), PGA Championship (1963), The Open Championship (1966)
- Tiger Woods: Masters (1997), PGA Championship (1999), US Open (2000), Open Championship (2000)
- Rory McIlroy: US Open (2011), PGA Championship (2012), The Open Championship (2014), Masters (2025)
