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Tiger Woods welcomed Rory McIlroy to golf’s most exclusive club after his dramatic victory in the Masters on Sunday. McIlroy, born in Holywood, Co Down, defeated Justin Rose on the first hole of a playoff at Augusta National to join Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen in having won all four major titles.
“Welcome to the club @McIlroyRory,” Woods posted on social media. The 15-time major winner achieved three Grand Slams. He added: “Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special. Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you’re a part of history. Proud of you!”
South African Player, now 89, completed the Grand Slam in 1965 on his way to nine major wins. He posted on X: “I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Rory McIlroy on his historic win at the Masters and completion of the career Grand Slam.
“This is one of the rarest and most difficult achievements in all of sport, something only now six golfers in history have ever accomplished. We are proud to add Rory to our exclusive club and no doubt he has set the standard for his era.”
“Rory has made his mark on history, and all of us who love this game are incredibly proud. Well done, my friend. Welcome to our club.”
Nicklaus, whose first Grand Slam of three was completed a year after Player’s, spoke warmly of McIlroy’s exploits. on CBS in the US, saying: “I’m so happy for him. It will take the world off his shoulders and you’re now going to see a lot more of really good golf out of Rory McIlroy.”
McIlroy’s close friend and fellow player Shane Lowry joked that McIlroy could happily retire after completing the career grand slam. “This means everything to him,” Lowry told Golf Channel. “This is all he thinks about, all he talks about. He always said to me he’d retire a happy man if he won the green jacket, so I told Erica [McIlroy’s wife] he can retire now. He’s had a long 10, 11 years, he’s had a lot of hurdles to get over and it’s a credit to him.”
Tommy Fleetwood, who finished tied for 21st after a closing round of 69, said: “I’ve said it a bunch of times, Rory is the best player of our generation. I don’t think he’s had to prove that for a while.
“For him to have finally got this one, a career grand slam, is unbelievably special. This time was always going to come, it’s just Rory makes you feel like it’s not going to at some point.
“Whatever he did today, Rory’s place in golf [history] was secure, but this has just added another layer on top of that. I do believe he’s the best of our generation and now he’s one of the greatest of all time.”
Michael D Higgins, the Irish president, joined political leaders from across the island in celebrating McIlroy’s victory, calling it a “truly outstanding achievement”.
Northern Ireland’s first minister, Michelle O’Neill, said the “incredible” triumph placed him among the sport’s greatest. “This is a huge moment in sporting history, and one that has filled everyone back home with great pride and that will undoubtedly inspire future generations to chase their dreams,” she posted on X. “Enjoy the well-deserved celebrations, Rory!”
The Irish Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, posted on X: “The Green Jacket is yours Rory McIlroy. A finish for the ages at Augusta to win The Masters and complete a richly-deserved career Grand Slam. Epic achievement by one of golf’s greatest talents.”
UK prime minister Keir Starmer also weighed in, offering “massive congratulations” on “an incredible achievement”. He added: “Through all the expectations and the rollercoaster ride of yesterday, Rory held his nerve and made history.”
The late-night finish – with the playoff concluding after 1just after midnight BST – left Irish newspapers scrambling to reflect the momentous result in their final print editions. The Irish Times’s headline recognised “The Master” on their front page: “Rory finally conquers Augusta and completes Grand Slam,” adding that the victory “seals place among immortals”.
Belfast Telegraph saluted “Rory’s Master piece” after “final hole agony” turned to “play-off ecstasy”. The Irish Independent carried a similar picture of the winner roaring in delight after he had collapsed to his knees on sinking the winning putt . It noted the “tears and cheers” on and around the 18th green. The Irish Daily star took a similar tack with “Rory’s Masters peace”, reflecting the weight lifted off the 35-year-old’s shoulders.
In the US, the New York Times reflected on the “roller coaster ride” on the final day – and the three that had preceded it – that had led McIlroy to victory, while the LA Times said: “Rory rose even higher”. The Washington Post reflected on a “wild” final round at Augusta, adding: “After a stomach-churning Sunday, Rory McIlroy looks grand in green.”
The New York Post noted that McIlroy is now “among the elite”, adding that “it took sudden death playoffs, but Rory McIlroy finally earned his green jacket.”
