Rory McILroy joined some golf immortals after winning the Masters on Sunday.
McILroy became the sixth player to have won a big career in a career, who hoists the trophy in the four major tournaments – The Masters, The PGA Championship, US Open and The Open Championship.
This one at the Augusta National Golf Club was the most elusive for McILroy, who had also not won a major since the open in 2014.
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Rory McILroy holds the Masters championship trophy in the Masters tournament final at the Augusta National Golf Club. (Images Kyle Terada-Imagn)
After defeating Justin Rose in a hole in the playoffs on Sunday, one of these previous five winning golfers of the Grand Chelem shared his congratulations for the North Irish, because he knows too well how much it meant for him.
“Welcome to the club,” wrote Tiger Woods on X. “Completing the Grand Chelem to Augusta is something special. Your determination during this tour, and all this trip has shown, and now you start from history. Proud of you!”
Woods was missed in Augusta this week because he suffered an injury to Achilles last month which would still have been able to walk properly. Although it was known that his golf season is probably on the shelf, some wondered if he would be present at the Tuesday evening champions dinner.
Unfortunately, Woods was not one of those who appreciate the prepared menu of Scottie Scheffler.
Tiger Woods and Rory McILroy speak with Erin Andrews during a morning media event before the revolutionary ceremony at the Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, February 20, 2023. This will be the future TGL site, a new golf league played in a stadium and launched in partnership with PGA. (Imagn)
Woods and McILroy had an excellent golf relationship over the years, both being Nike athletes and being two of the best in the game since the latter became pro.
McILroy noted during his post-round interview with journalists that Woods was part of the Grand Slam club who reminded him of his conviction every year that the green jacket would soon be on his back.
Woods, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus were the only five golfers to have never finished the Grand Chelem until McILroy did it on Sunday.
This was done in a fairly dramatic way, with McILroy crossing many upper and low throughout his last round to miss the putt by his 72nd tournament hole, which forced a series series with Rose.
Tiger Woods shakes Rory McILroy’s hand on the training range during a round for the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club. (Katie Goodale-USA TODAY NETWORK)
But McILroy has deeply dug, hitting the driving and the approach necessary on 18 to set up with a short birdie for victory.
A weight was raised from his shoulders, and the story followed with the green jacket that the masters champion in 2024, Scottie Scheffler, placed on the back of McILroy in the butler cabin after the round of his life.
