The Masters 2025 LIVE: Rory McIlroy dramatically beats Justin Rose in play-off for career grand slam
Rory McIlroy missed a five-foot putt for the title in regulation play before beating Justin Rose in a play-off to finally complete the career grand slam
Rory McIlroy finally won the Masters, fulfilling a lifelong dream and and putting years of hurt behind him, to complete the career grand slam in the most dramatic fashion.
McIlroy’s final round swung back and forth and he only needed a par on the 18th to win the title in regulation. But he missed a five-foot par putt to instead set up a play-off against Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose, who had carded a magical 66 to set the clubhouse target at -11.
Yet the Northern Irishman somehow regained his composure and played the 18th brilliantly in the sudden-death play-off, sinking a four-footer for birdie to deny Rose, adding the Masters to his Open, US Open and two PGA Championship crowns. He is only the sixth man in the history of golf to win all four majors.
It ended an 11-year major drought that was full of heartbreak and near misses and McIlroy sunk to his knees in delight as the emotion overwhelmed him, with his Augusta National hoodoo finally at an end.
Relive all of the action from Augusta below:
1st play-off hole: McIlroy v Rose
Rose gives it all due care and attention. It’s probably 15 feet, down the hill.
He sets it on its way. Outside the right edge and it stays right! Missed it! McIlroy has a four-foot putt to win the Masters.
1st play-off hole: McIlroy v Rose
The crowd are desperate for McIlroy to win this but it will all come down to the putts.
Rose will go first and can pile the pressure on McIlroy. He made a brilliant birdie during regulation. He has to have the mindset of needing to hole it.
1st play-off hole: McIlroy v Rose
Rose to play first. Good position but further back than McIlroy. He’ll take an eight-iron with 157 yards to the hole. Great shot! Bounces just short of the hole and leaps past. That’ll be a nice putt down the hill - real birdie chance.
Wedge for McIlroy. Can’t go in the bunker like he did in regulation play. AND IT’S SUBLIME. Past the hole, spinning back, comes past Rose’s ball and gives him a glorious birdie look from a few feet.
“Rory, Rory, Rory” chant the crowd.
1st play-off hole: McIlroy v Rose
Remember, Justin Rose has been here before. He was in a play-off in the 2017 Masters against Sergio Garcia.
Garcia came out on top that day but can Rose draw on those experiences?
They’ll play the 18th. Rose will have the honour and he hits his tee shot down the middle. It goes towards the right of the fairway but stays in the short stuff.
McIlroy takes driver. What has he got left? Nice shape to it, left to right and it’s A1 position - what an unreal shot. About three yards away from where he was in regulation play!
Play-off rules
The rules of the play-off are simple. It’s sudden death - McIlroy vs Rose, playing the 18th and the 10th alternately until one of them wins. It could all be over in one hole
McIlroy missed a putt to win the Masters, while Rose made a monster birdie on the 18th to get to -11. They will be in completely different mindsets right now.
WATCH: McIlroy misses putt to win the Masters
Here’s the putt to win the Masters. This could be the one that haunts Rory McIlroy forever.
Or it could all be forgotten if he wins the play-off
Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose head to play-off
I can’t believe it. I thought he had it. Now, Rory McIlroy has to somehow compose himself after missing that five-footer for the Masters and try to beat Justin Rose in a play-off.
This is nerve-shredding
Rory McIlroy misses the putt
Five feet for par. Aiming right half of the cup but inside the hole. Any other situation and this is a make, every time. How does he handle the pressure.
Lines it up. OH NO! HE’S MISSED IT. WIDE LEFT. THAT WAS A PUTT FOR THE CAREER GRAND SLAM AND HE’S MISSED IT
McIlroy bunker shot
It couldn’t happen without severe drama, could it. McIlroy is a great bunker player and he needs to show that here.
Sets his feet, chips it, lands softly, runs down towards the hole and now he’s got five feet for par. A good shot but deary, deary me. How do you fancy this to win the Masters?
Leaderboard: -12: McIlroy; -11: Rose; -9: Reed; -8: Scheffler
McIlroy's second at 18
This is the shot, Rory. Find a good spot on the green and that green jacket will be on your shoulders in a matter of minutes...
He chats with caddy Harry Diamond. Just 125 yards in but oh no! He’s in the greenside bunker.
Needs an up and down in two to win the title now. If he takes three shots, it’s a play-off with Justin Rose. We dare not think about if he somehow takes four.
Leaderboard: -12: McIlroy; -11: Rose; -9: Reed; -8: Scheffler
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