After years of heartbreak and close calls, Rory McIlroy finally claimed his first Masters victory during an exciting, up-and-down round that ended in a playoff victory over Justin Rose.
With McIlroy’s victory, he became just the sixth player in PGA Tour history with the career Grand Slam.
McIlroy got off to a rough start during yesterday’s final round, double-bogeying the first hole. McIlroy also hit some errant shots down the stretch but hit some clutch shots when he needed to.
Despite his roller coaster round, McIlroy was as locked in as he’s ever been on Sunday at Augusta National.
Just ask his playing partner, Bryson DeChambeau.
DeChambeau, who stunned McIlroy last June in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, struggled all day with his iron play and could never catch McIlroy, where he stumbled to a three-over 75 that saw him drop into a tie for fifth.
DeChambeau was asked if he had any pleasantries with McIlroy during yesterday’s final round. According to DeChambeau, he didn’t hear a peep from his playing partner.
Masters winner Rory McIlroy 'didn't talk once to me all day,' Bryson DeChambeau said https://t.co/1MEluVTkuB pic.twitter.com/YRkpxrTMYF
— Golfweek (@golfweek) April 14, 2025
DeChambeau was asked if they spoke to each other while signing their scorecards, and if he knew how McIlroy was doing after having just missed his first putt to win, putting him in a playoff with Justin Rose.
“No idea. Didn’t talk to me once all day,” he said.
Another reporter asked if DeChambeau had attempted to initiate the conversation as they walked the course.
“He wouldn’t talk to me,” DeChambeau added.
The much anticipated re-match of McIlroy and DeChambeau caught a lot of media attention yesterday. However, despite McIlroy’s stingy attempt to stay quiet, it didn’t create any ill will from his playing partner.
Even DeChambeau said that after McIlroy had found the water on 13, leading to a double bogey and putting his chances in serious doubt, that he felt truly bad for the guy.
“I wanted to cry for him,” he said. “I mean, as a professional, you just know to hit it in the middle of the green, and I can’t believe he went for it, or must have just flared it.
“But I’ve hit bad shots in my career, too, and it happens. When you’re trying to win a major championship, especially out here, Sunday of Augusta, the Masters, you have to just do it and get the job done and do it right. 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.”
McIlroy was eventually filled with words after his long-awaited road to victory at the Masters.
“My dreams have been made today,” McIlroy said.
Moments later, speaking to 4-year-old daughter Poppy, he told her: “Never give up on your dreams. Never, ever give up on your dreams.”