It was almost 11pm at the clubhouse on what was Rory McIlroy’s biggest day in golf.
After his thrilling play-off win against Justin Rose to earn his first Masters Green Jacket, McIlroy kept talking for hours.
He first spoke with CBS’s Jim Nantz and Augusta chairman Fred Ridley in the Butler Cabin, then addressed the members during the prize ceremony. After that came several TV interviews and a press conference in Augusta’s fancy media center.
Later, he went to the clubhouse’s Grill Room to chat with club members about the amazing events of the day. He even did more TV interviews after that.
Finally, he walked into a nearby room where BBC Northern Ireland’s Stephen Watson and RTE’s Greg Allen — two reporters who’ve followed McIlroy’s career closely — were waiting.
As McIlroy came in, he saw them, let out a big breath, leaned on the back of a sofa, and gave a look that said everything.
Without saying a word, his eyes seemed to ask: “Can you believe this? Is this really happening?”
The green jacket fit perfectly. It was darker than expected, and at that moment, it became real—he had finally done it. The pressure was gone. People would no longer ask the questions that had followed him for over ten years.
Now at 35, Rory McIlroy is officially one of golf’s all-time greats. No one can argue it. He joins legends like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen—the only male golfers to win all four major tournaments.
Many greats never completed the Grand Slam, including Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, and Phil Mickelson.
McIlroy now has five major titles, matching Ballesteros and just one behind Faldo. Since he’s the first European to complete the Grand Slam, some might say he has passed Faldo as Europe’s greatest golfer.
It’s a fair argument. McIlroy has 28 PGA Tour wins, including two Players Championships. Faldo, outside of his three Masters and three Open wins, only won three other PGA Tour events.
Still, comparing players from different eras is tricky. What we can say for sure is that McIlroy now belongs in the conversation as Europe’s greatest golfer.
Now that he’s lifted that weight off his shoulders, he can play future majors with more freedom. The next one is at Quail Hollow, a place where he’s had great success.
Then it’s the US Open, where he’s come close recently, and later The Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland—his home. 2025 is full of big chances for him.
No one doubts McIlroy’s talent in golf. But people did question his mindset, especially after waiting 11 years to win a fifth major.
The Masters was the hardest for him. He believes he should have won in 2011, but a poor final round score of 80 cost him the title.
This is the tournament that first inspired him to play golf. It’s the one he wanted most, which is why he was so nervous last Sunday.
His biggest challenge was battling himself. Golf is a mental game, and nerves can ruin even the most skilled players.
But McIlroy stayed strong and managed to beat Justin Rose – a 44-year-old who many believe deserves another major title and is respected for his grace and sportsmanship.
Golf often doesn’t get as much attention as other sports, but last Sunday, McIlroy and Rose brought it into the spotlight like rarely before.
Now, McIlroy stands among the UK’s greatest sports stars.
Names like Sir Roger Bannister, Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Lewis Hamilton, Sir Andy Murray, and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill come to mind. McIlroy belongs in that group.
The truth is, in golf and sport as a whole, McIlroy is one of the best. His talent is so great that he overcame the doubts that once made people question if he would ever live up to expectations.
We can’t say that anymore. There’s now a lot more to celebrate and admire about Rory McIlroy.
