Masters 2025: 9 Moments That Defined Rory McIlroy’s Legendary Career
Rory McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam with his win at the 2025 Masters and became just the sixth golfer to achieve the milestone. His rise began with a dominant performance at the 2011 U.S. Open, and he has since met high expectations throughout his career.
Let’s check out a few key moments that define McIlroy’s legendary career.
Winning 2025 Masters
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Rory’s 2025 Masters win was nothing short of legendary. After a rocky start with a double bogey, he didn’t flinch. Instead, he fired back with birdies on the next two holes. On the 15th, a jaw-dropping 207-yard shot through the trees set up a pivotal birdie. Then, in the playoff, despite a missed short putt earlier, Rory stayed cool and nailed his shot. He won the Green Jacket with a playoff birdie and completed his career Grand Slam. That win made him the sixth golfer and first European golfer in history to achieve this milestone.
2011 Masters Slip-Up and Redemption
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The 2011 Masters collapse remains one of golf’s most talked-about meltdowns. At 21, Rory held a four-shot lead heading into the final round but shot an 80, including a triple bogey on the 10th hole. Just two months later, he responded with one of the greatest comebacks in major history. At the U.S. Open, 22-year-old Rory dominated from start to finish at Congressional by shooting 16-under with a record-breaking 268. His performance shattered multiple scoring records.
Dominating the 2012 PGA Championship
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At 23, Rory McIlroy dominated the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. He shot a bogey-free final round of 66 and won by eight strokes, setting a new tournament record for the largest margin of victory. His 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th was the perfect finish to a brilliant performance.
Winning the 2014 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool
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After a tough 2013, Rory came back in 2014 and won The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. While leading wire-to-wire, he shot a remarkable 17-under-par and finished two strokes ahead of Rickie Fowler and Sergio García. This victory marked his third major win.
Winning the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla
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Rory McIlroy pulled off a gritty win at the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla. After two early bogeys, he regrouped and made a momentum-shifting eagle on the 10th hole with a 3-wood that stopped six feet from the pin. He stayed steady down the stretch and finished at 16-under, edging out Phil Mickelson by one shot.
Creating An Unstoppable Ryder Cup Legacy
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Since his debut in 2010, Rory has played with heart while racking up 18 points across seven tournaments. In 2023, his 4–1–0 record, capped by a crucial singles victory over Sam Burns, was the spark behind Europe’s 16½–11½ triumph.
A World No. 1 Breakthrough
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March 4, 2012, marked the day when Rory changed the course of golf history. His victory at the Honda Classic, where he held off a determined Tiger Woods, was the perfect demonstration of power. Over the 11 events leading up to his world No. 1 ranking, he was practically untouchable and finished outside the top five only once.
Focusing On Philanthropic Work Through the Rory Foundation
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When Rory isn’t dominating the greens, he’s busy changing lives. In 2013, he launched The Rory Foundation. After a life-changing UNICEF trip to Haiti, he put his success to work through multiple projects, including the ‘6 Bags Project’ and a million-pound donation to the Cancer Fund for Children. Even after wrapping up the foundation in 2018, Rory maintains his philanthropic nature with other pursuits.