Masters 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Rory McIlroy in tears after FINALLY winning at Augusta but Scheffler branded ‘classless’
RORY McILROY fell to his knees and later broke down in tears after he FINALLY WON the Masters and got his hands on the prestigious Green Jacket.
After what has been more than a decade of heartbreak at Augusta, Rory won the Masters title to complete the Grand Slam and cement himself as one of the elites.
He had to do it the hard way after going to a play-off with Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose, as McIlroy had missed a five footer for par on the 72nd green.
But the golfing great held his nerve to win that elusive Masters crown before later breaking down in tears during a TV interview.
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'Biggest party' planned for Rory
Watching on as Rory McIlroy clinched victory at the Masters was an “emotional rollercoaster”, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said.
O’Neill said the Holywood man’s story of perseverance in the face of several disappointments should inspire others to emulate his success.
“As First Minister, can I say directly to Rory, we are busting with pride,” she said.
“It just was really an emotional rollercoaster for everybody, but we all were behind him every step of the way.
“His story now is one of such a positive journey. That no matter, no matter how many setbacks you have in life, if you work hard and you're determined, you can get there in the end.
“I look forward to certainly welcoming Rory home. I think we have to have the biggest party possible."
Tributes pour in for McIlroy
Some of the greats of the game have shared their congratulations for McIlroy after his remarkable feat.
Fellow grand slam winner Gary Player said: "Rory has made his mark on history, and all of us who love this game are incredibly proud. Well done, my friend. Welcome to the club."
While Sir Nick Faldo wrote: "I've never been put through the wringer of emotions like that in the commentary box.
"So pleased for @rorymcilroy, and proud to have known him all these years since he was a whippersnapper in the @faldoseries."
McIlroy photobombed in hilarious pic
Rory McIlroy saw a heartfelt moment with his family photobombed just after winning the Masters.
After completing the career Grand Slam, McIlroy embraced his wife Erica Stoll in a hug as soon as he left the 18th green at Augusta.
However, one fan hilariously photobombed the heartwarming moment before they were joined by their four-year-old daughter, Poppy.
The fan in question was seen in the crowd next to McIlroy and Erica.
As World No.2 McIlroy hugged his partner, the fan - wearing a watch and hat - was seen leaning forwards and gesturing for a fist bump.
Dealing with the pressure
McIlroy spoke about the pressure of being tipped to win The Masters by some of the greatest in the game.
He said: “It’s tough. You know, you’ve had Jack, Gary, Tom, Tiger, you name it, come through here, and all say that I’ll win the Masters one day. That’s a hard load to carry, especially – it is. It really is.
“You know, these are idols of mine, and it’s, look, it’s very flattering that they all come up here and they believe in me and they believe in my abilities to be able to win this tournament and, you know, achieve the Grand Slam and all that. But it doesn’t help, you know. I wish they didn’t say it.
“But, you know, I think as well, as the years have went on, I’ve just become more accustomed to the noise that sort of surrounds my whole Masters week and I’ve become a little more comfortable with it.”
McIlroy pokes fun at Man Utd
Rory McIlroy couldn't help but poke fun at his boyhood club Manchester United after their 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United coincided with his victory at Augusta.
McIlroy is a known Manchester United fan, and celebrated his Open win in 2014 by taking the trophy to Old Trafford to showcase in front of the supporters.
Following his victory on Sunday, the 35-year-old was asked if he would do the same with his new green jacket and McIlroy took the opportunity to make light of his club's current form.
"If it can inspire some better play, absolutely," he joked.
Tiger Woods shares McIlroy pride
Tiger Woods has shared his pride after Rory McIlroy finally won the Masters and joined him in an elite club of golfers.
He tweeted: "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!"
Caddie helped McIlroy to 'reset'
Rory McIlroy revealed a message from caddie Harry Diamond proved crucial in helping him refocus ahead of his play-off victory at the Masters.
With McIlroy having had a four-shot lead on the back nine before making a double bogey at the 13th, and then missing a short putt for the win, the obvious question was whether he would be able to regroup in time for the play-off.
Asked how he did so, McIlroy said: "After scoring, Harry and I were walking to the golf cart to bring us back to the 18th tee, and he said to me, ‘well pal, we would have taken this on Monday morning’.
"I'm like, 'yeah, absolutely we would have'. That was an easy reset. He basically said to me, ‘you would have given your right arm to be in a play-off at the start of the week’. That sort of reframed it a little bit for me.
"I just kept telling myself, just make the same swing you made in regulation. And I hit a great drive up there and the rest is history.
"I had two yards less in the play-off than regulation and a flatter lie as well. It was a good number, just needed a committed swing and made one at the right time."
McIlroy jokes he's going for more
McIlroy joked he is aiming to win all four majors this year after his Masters triumph.
"You can't win all four majors in a year if you haven't won the first one.
"There's a lot of golf left to play this year and I've got off to a great start and can't wait to keep it going."
Scheffler slammed for 'classless' act
Scottie Scheffler has been slammed by golf fans for a "classless" gesture as he handed over the green jacket to Rory McIlroy.
The American was asked to present McIlroy with the green jacket by chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club, Fred Ridley.
Scheffler placed the jacket around the new Masters champion with McIlroy heard saying: "Thanks Scottie."
After a slightly awkward presenting of the jacket with McIlroy struggling to get his right arm into the sleeve, McIlroy took a deep breath.
Ridley, 72, then said, "congratulations Rory," and extended his hand for a handshake.
McIlroy then turned around to shake his hand and replied: "Thanks, Fred."
However, after putting the jacket on McIlroy, Scheffler had quickly moved back and walked off.
Fans were not happy with the move, with one saying on social media: "That was poor from Scheffler. Didn’t even shake his hand. Put the jacket on him and walked off."
'Dream come true' for McIlroy
McIlroy came close to winning The Masters in the past, throwing away a four shot lead on the final day in 2011, while also finishing runner-up in 2023.
He said: “Maybe I probably didn’t understand myself. I didn’t understand why I got myself in a great position in 2011, and I probably didn’t understand why I let it slip in a way.
“You know, that experience, going through the hardships of tough losses and all that, and I would say to him, just stay the course. Just keep believing. And I would say that to any young boy or girl that’s listening to this.
"I’ve literally made my dreams come true today, and I would say to every boy and girl listening to this, believe in your dreams, and if you work hard enough and if you put the effort in, that you can achieve anything you want.”
McIlroy finally lifts big 'burden'
McIlroy is now one of just six players to achieve the career Grand Slam - after 11 years of trying.
He said of his barren run: “I think I've carried that burden since August 2014. It’s nearly 11 years.
“And not just about winning my next major, but the career grand slam. You know, trying to join a group of five players to do it, you know, watching a lot of my peers get green jackets in the process, it’s been difficult.
“I’ve tried to approach this tournament with the most positive attitude each and every time that I’ve shown up.
“I talked about it at the start of the week, but you know, there’s talking about it and actually doing it.
“And yeah, today was difficult. I was unbelievably nervous this morning. Really nervous on the first hole, as you witnessed with the double.
“But, as I said, that sort of calmed me down and I was able to bounce back and show that resilience that I’ve talked about a lot.”
McIlroy pays tributes to parents
Rory McIlroy broke down in tears on live TV as he paid an emotional tribute to his mum and dad after winning the Masters.
McIlroy revealed his parents watched the win from their home in Northern Ireland.
And the ace declared he could not wait to return there to celebrate with them next week.
With tears in his eyes, McIlroy said: “I would say it was 14 years in the making, going out with a four-shot lead in 2011, you’re feeling like I could have got it done there.
“There was a lot of pent-up emotion that came out on that 18th green.
“But a moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.
“I want to say hello to my mum and dad, they’re back home in Northern Ireland.
“They did (make a lot of sacrifices). I can’t wait to see them next week. Just can’t wait to celebrate this with them.”
Rory McIlroy reveals 'ironic' note
Rory McIlroy has revealed the 'ironic' message he received from disgraced former Masters champion Angel Cabrera ahead of his emotional triumph at Augusta National.
The Northern Irishman dispelled the ghosts of the past to end an 11-year wait for a major and become the sixth man to complete the career grand slam after edging out Justin Rose in a sudden death play-off on Sunday night.
McIlroy headed into the final round with a two-shot lead, 14 years after he looked certain to claim the championship as a 21-year-old, having begun the final day with a four-shot advantage over the field.
The 35-year-old would go on to suffer one of the most infamous meltdowns in the sport's history, recording a round of 80 to finish on four under par and tied for 15th. McIlroy's playing partner on that fateful day was 2009 champion Cabrera, who made his comeback at Augusta this week following two-and-a-years in prison.
McIlroy opened up on the message he received from the Argentine ahead of his final round on Sunday.
He said: "You know, since 2011, I think it's so ironic, as well. I got to my locker this morning and I opened it up, and there was a note in there from Angel Cabrera, and just wishing me luck.
"And Angel Cabrera was the player I played with on the final day in 2011, it was a nice touch and a little bit ironic at the same time. It's been 14 long years, but thankfully I got the job done."
An extraordinary list
Isn't it amazing that only
fivegolfers have ever completed the Grand Slam.In the history of golf!?
Sorry, it's now SIX after McIlroy completed it last night – the first European to do it.
- Gene Sarazen - 1935
- Ben Hogan - 1953
- Gary Player - 1965
- Jack Nicklaus - 1966
- Tiger Woods - 2000
- RORY MCILROY - 2025
McIlroy a picture of focus
Rory McIlroy did not speak to Bryson DeChambeau once in the final round.
The pair teed off together and the American revealed he had no idea how McIlroy was feeling as he "didn't talk to me once all day."
He said: "He wouldn't talk to me. He was just like -- just being focused, I guess. It's not me, though.
"There were times where it looked like he had full control, and at times where it's like, what's going on? Kind of looked like one of my rounds, actually."
More reaction from Rose
A class act in defeat, Justin Rose battled superbly to book a play off spot.
To lose this way again must be heartbreaking for him.
But hugging McIlroy on 18, Rose revealed he told the new Masters champ: "I just said, listen, this is a historic moment in golf, isn't it, someone who achieves the career Grand Slam.
"I said it was pretty cool to be able to share that moment with him.
"Obviously I wanted to be the bad guy today, but still, it's a momentous occasion for the game of golf."
The moment he has waited for
All very formal in the Butler Cabin as the green jacket was placed on Rory McIlroy's back.
A bit more relaxed and cheerier the second time around on the 18th green about 15 minutes later.
Good morning golf fans
Dose off before the golf finished last night?
It was arguably one of the most tense sporting moments in the past couple of decades. Probably thee biggest.
An absolute rollercoaster of a round of golf - the likes of which we've not seen at the Masters for so, so long - and Rory McIlroy FINALLY came out on top.
Two more double bogeys on the day (four for the week!) - more than a few utterly sensational shots.
And it's Career Grand Slam complete ✅
Final leaderboard
How the 2025 Masters finished up.
It was billed as 'Redemption' for McIlroy in his rematch with Bryson DeChambeau.
The pair of them end up shooting over par and Rory beats him by four in the end!
Some huge names in that top 10.
Congrats pour in
Friends - and foes - from the world of golf offering their congratulations to the Masters champion.
SPOTY chances
He probably won't mind too much at the minute.
But that has shot McIlroy up to the top of the tree in the betting for Sports Personality of the Year!
- 11-10 Rory McIlroy
- 9-4 Luke Littler
- 4-1 Lando Norris
- 16-1 Jack Draper
- 20-1 Ellie Kildunne
Coral's John Hill said: “After completing the Career Grand Slam, Rory McIlroy is now the hot favourite to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award for 2025.
"The Northern Irishman held his nerve in a play-off at Augusta, and he looks the most likely to be rewarded for this triumph as he tops the SPOTY betting ahead of Luke Little and Lando Norris respectively."
Rose reacts
A gutted Justin Rose told Sky Sports: "I went about my business well but then just clicked into gear on the turn.
"To bury that one on 18 was an amazing feeling.
"It's happened to me again, losing a play off. But it shows me I'm still in there and competing.
"Some of the golf I played this week is unmatched. My name isn't etched into those trophies but I'm not sure I could do much different."
What does Rory McIlroy win for winning the Masters?
Let me tell you, it's quite the list of rewards.
Alongside the green jacket he desired and golf immortality status, he wins:
• £3.2 million in prize money
• Honorary membership to Augusta National
• A replica Masters trophy
• A lifetime invitation to the Masters
• Access to the members-only driving range
• An annual invitation to the champions dinner
• A locker in the champions locker room
Bookies taken a thumping
Yet more good news! A seven-figure payout from the bookies who've taken a doing here....
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “Masters Sunday 2025 will go down as one of the most dramatic we’ve ever seen, but also as one of the most significant in the history of betting on golf for William Hill.
“Rory McIlroy was always the biggest liability in our book before a ball was hit, and the stakes were raised when we announced Money Back as a Free Bet if McIlroy completed the career grand slam. In total, we’re now looking at a seven-figure payout.
“We laid tens of thousands of individual bets on McIlroy to win the Masters alone, while there was a good spread of business across the competitors this year with punters safe in the knowledge they had some Rory insurance. In the end it was an amazing sporting moment and it’s great to see Rory in that elite group of golfers."
More from Rory
He added: “I was really nervous going out, it’s almost as though the double bogey on 1 calmed my nerves a little bit.
"How I responded to setbacks is what I’ll take from this week. My emotion was 14 years in the making after the four-shot lead in 2011.
"It was a lot of pent-up emotion that came out on the 18th green, it makes all the close calls worth it."
