Rory McIlroy fell to his knees with head in hands after sinking the playoff winning putt at the Masters to finally achieve the career Grand Slam. The thousands of golf fans had been rooting for Rory all day and, indeed, for all four days of the tournament. They, and the many millions watching on screens, had been taken on the ride of their lives. This was no walk in the park despite the beauty of Augusta National. Rather, this round had the highs and lows of a major event with few guardrails. For 11 years golf fans had witnessed sustained disappointment on Sundays when it really mattered for Rory. It looked like going the same way in 2025 but thank goodness it didn’t.
Golf Fans Were Roaring For Rory McIlroy At The Masters
Justin Rose played the final round of his major golfing life at the ripe old age of 41. Rose shot 66 to climb the scoreboard and get into a playoff with McIlroy. The enormity of the situation seemed to derail Rory when he had the chance to cruise to victory after the front nine on Sunday. Nightmares of green jacketless futures suddenly stole shots from Rory at unlikely times on the back nine. McIlroy opened the door for fellow competitors when that is not supposed to happen. Rory became the first golfer to win the Masters after making 4 double bogies over the four days. This, perhaps, fed into the dramatic reaction Rory produced after sinking the winning put on the 18th green in the playoff.
Augusta Golf Fans Rooting For Rory McIlroy
Golf is more often a seemingly sedate affair on the surface anyways. Like a duck’s feet furiously paddling beneath the water a golfer’s emotions are rarely observed by onlookers. The fans were rooting for Rory on the wild rollercoaster of his round, as sharp turns threatened to derail the career Grand Slam. It had been a long time coming and some were beginning to doubt if it would ever arrive. The potentially treacherous golf course gleamed on our screens in brilliant green. Watchers, who were aware of the hazards within the aesthetic beauty of Augusta National, were holding their breath as the final few holes took place. The cast of characters in this drama, DeChambeau, Aberg, Rose, Scheffler, Conners, Reed and others played bit roles but never eclipsed Rory in the hearts and minds of golf fans. This was Rory’s day, Rory’s time, come what may.
“An emotional Rory McIlroy broke down in tears after breaking his 11-year major drought and winning a maiden Masters title following a dramatic final round at Augusta National on Monday morning AEST.”
Why Do Golf Fans Love Rory?
Golf is rarely so loaded with melodrama and meaning for the viewer, as it was on this special day. Golf fans have long held Rory McIlroy close to their hearts. Who knows why this occurs for some and not for the many? Perhaps, the hidden nature of the golfer’s emotional journey during most rounds plays a part in this? Whatever it is, Rory falls outside of this disconnect for fans of the game. He rises high above the level in so many ways. Rory’s imperious ability to drive the golf ball vast distances in all kinds of weather. Rory’s sublime play when it is on. The illogical 11 years since Rory had won a major. All of these things contribute to the deep love for Rory as golfer and man expressed by the fans of the game.
“It did not surprise me to discover that Rory McIlroy used Stoicism to start winning again. In 2018, apparently Rory consulted this timeless philosophy to overcome his performance slump in golf.”
Rory Joins The Golfing Immortals
Rory McIlroy is overcome with emotion and clutching his head on the 18th green. A stray thought came into my mind – ‘don’t die on us now Rory.’ The overwhelming nature of feelings erupting after being long submerged can appear a little scary in the rarified atmosphere of golf. We are all rooting for you Rory? Go and put on that green jacket. Hells bells, you and us have been waiting for the longest time. The vagaries of fate can keep the logical from occurring, it seems. Greg Norman never got there and quite a few others; I am sure. McIlroy has finally made it to join that exclusive club. Not just a Master’s champion but a career Grand Slam. Rory joins Tiger, Jack, Hogan, Player, and Sarazen. The kind of company which ensures golfing immortality. It’s been a long time coming.
Robert Sudha Hamilton is the author of The Stoic Golfer.
©GolfDom
