Choke to champion, McIlroy breaks hoodoo to win dramatic Masters

The hoodoo is finally broken. Rory McIlroy is a Masters champion.

With a green jacket finally to his name the Northern Irishman becomes only the sixth man to complete a career grand slam after a dramatic end to the 2025 edition of the Masters.

Only Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen have achieved the feat, McIlroy is the first European.

Augusta was a rollercoaster for both McIlroy, Justin Rose and Ludvig Aberg, and with the weight of the world on his shoulders, McIlroy found the composure he has lacked in previous years to claim the title that has long eluded him.

His past “chokes” and disappointments will now be seen in a new light. A Masters title changes all manner of career results.

But it was not without drama. Two double bogeys came close to undoing McIlroy. One on the first and the next on the 13th

McIlroy looked close to capitulation two thirds of the way through the round after squandering a four-shot lead. Rose was near faultless in his chase of his rival while Aberg’s threat came and then dissipated.

On the 17th hole McIlroy found the form he’s shown for much of the tournament. A stunning tee shot travelling 180- yards to land just feet from the hole.

A birdie which saw Augusta’s crowd erupt and McIlroy reclaim the lead with one hole to go.

But what is the Masters without late drama? McIlroy drilled a beautiful tee shot before his second – 125 yards out from the flag - found the bunker.

Big pressure moments demand big performances and McIlroy fell short at this point. A bogey on the final hole set up the first play-off at Augusta since 2017.

He and Rose returned to the tee of the 18th but this time there were no mistakes from the man who came so close at the US Open just 12 months ago.

Rose missed the putt for par while McIlroy was not making the same mistake twice.

He sunk for birdie, a green jacket and a career slam.

Cue the tears, the jubilation and the pure relief.

For a man who has for years carried an enormous weight of expectation and been criticised for his underwhelming performances, McIlroy could not contain his emotion, embracing his family, his caddy and his support network.

“I’m going to go get a green jacket,” he told his friends.

Speaking after his victory, McIlroy admitted he pondered if it was just never going to happen for him at Augusta.

"It feels incredible," he says.

"This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder whether it would ever be my time.

"And the last 10 years coming here, with the burden of the grand slam on mt shoulders.

"Makes me wonder what we're going to talk about going into next years Masters.

"I'm just absolutely honoured and thrilled to be able to call myself Masters champion."

After coming so close so many times, McIlroy said this win made all of those heartbreaks worth it.

"I think I would say it was 14 years in the making," McIlroy said.

"From going out with a four-shot lead in 2011.

"There was a lot of pent up emotion that just came out on that 18th green

"A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it."

LATEST LEADERBOARD

9:11am WOWEEEEE the second shots from both of these guys are phenomenal but McIlroy has edged his rival landing three feet from the hole.

Rose has missed the putt on the `18th and Rory is putting for a green jacket. HE IS THE MASTERS CHAMPION!

__9:07am __

Let's just acknowledge the day Rose has had. When McIlroy was on the 10th hole today, the Englishman was SEVEN shot behind. SEVEN. Now they're in a play-off. Wild.

SUDDEN DEATH McIlroy and Rose will replay the 18th first and if that doesn't bring a winner they head to the 10th. They play those two holds alternately until we have a winner. Last time there was a play-off at the Masters? 2017, who played? Rose against Sergio Garcia.

Rose does not have a green jacket put it that way.

OH RORY! The green jacket was his for the taking and he's fluffed his lines on the green of the 18th. He was maybe four feet from the hole and he's pulled it wide and we are all set for play-off with Rose.

8:46am IN THE SAND Oh Rory! A stunning tee shot on the 18th had him poised for the walk of a champion but we're going through one final ride on this rollercoaster that is major golf. 125 yards from the flag and McIlroy is in the bunker

8:27am FINAL HOLE

McIlroy nailed the 17th, hits it to within two feet and BIRDIES FOR THE LEAD! The Masters is his to lose.

Life's gone from bad to worse for Aberg, he's gone from the sand to more sand, he's -9 with Reed so his campaign is well and truly done.

8:23am HEARTBREAK It's more of a two horse race now with Aberg bogeying the 17th tow fall two behind Rose and McIlroy, only an eagle can help him now.

8:17 ROSE IS DONE A MASSIVE birdie on the 18th for Justin Rose who becomes the new clubhouse leader and a nervous wait ahead. Rory is getting going on 16, Aberg on 17. It's going nuts at Augusta

8:10: RORY BACK IN FRONT

What a rollercoaster. In the last 45 minutes, McIlroy has blown a four stroke lead, dropped behind, been in a three-way tie and is now one shot ahead after a masterful birdie on the 15th.

7:58 THREE-WAY TIE

Never underestimate the fragility of a Masters lead. It's all change at Augusta and we have a three-way tie. Rose dropped a shot on 17 and is -10 with McIlroy and Aberg.

7:35AM RORY IN THE DRINK__

Not again....could it be? Rory McIlroy has squandered an impressive lead at Augusta and huge drama on the 13th hole where his shot has smacked the bank and gone into the water. A double bogey on 13. Elsewhere Justin Rose has stormed back into contention and is LEVEL with McIlroy on -11.