Rory McIlroy claims career Grand Slam with US Masters win

Published

5 months ago

April 14, 2025

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Rory McIlroy has completed a career Grand Slam in golf with his win at the US Masters tournament.

The Masters was the last major tournament left for McIlroy to complete the modern golf Grand Slam – a feat only five others have managed before him.

McIlroy, who was making his 11th attempt at completing the Grand Slam, faced off against Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose in a sudden-death play-off to decide the Masters champion, after they finished tied on 11 under at the end of regulation on Sunday.

‘So hard to stay patient’

Speaking at a press conference after his victory, McIlroy said: “You have to be the eternal optimist in this game.

“I have been saying it until I am blue in the face but I truly believe I am a better player now than 10 year ago.

“It is so hard to stay patient, keep coming back and not being able to get it done.

“There were points on the back nine where I thought, ‘have I let this slip again?’ but I responded and am really proud of myself.

“It has been an emotional week so I am thrilled to be last man standing.”

Just before slipping on a coveted green jacket during the presentation ceremony, the Northern Irishman said: “It’s my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time.

“I’m just absolutely honoured and thrilled and just so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion.”

McIlroy had missed his six-foot putt for par, a bogey which dropped him back to 11 under, where he joined Rose – leading to a dramatic playoff between the two.

Only five other golfers have been able to complete a career Grand Slam – Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen.

McIlroy is a two-time winner of the PGA Championship, claiming the prize in 2012 and 2014.

The 35-year-old also won his first major title, the US Open, in 2011, and won the Open Championship in 2014.

How did McIlroy clinch victory?

McIlroy recovered from losing his overnight two-shot advantage with an opening-hole double bogey to initially take control at Augusta National, only to blow a four-shot lead over his closing six holes.

The world number two bogeyed the last to close a one-over 73 and slip back to 11 under alongside Rose, who overturned a seven-stroke deficit and posted a stunning final-round 66 to force a playoff.

The players returned to the 18th for the playoff, where McIlroy made amends for his 72nd-hole blunder by firing a stunning approach to within three feet of the pin and making the birdie putt required for the win.

After the winning putt dropped, McIlroy raised his arms towards the sky and let his putter fall behind him as he dropped to his knees overcome with emotion.

He then embraced his wife Erica and daughter Poppy as chants of “Rory! Rory!” rang out around the green.

‘Great athletes under tremendous pressure’

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said the country should have “the biggest party possible” to welcome home McIlroy.

Ms O’Neill added that people are “bursting with pride” at his achievement and it should be celebrated “in the best possible style”.

It came as Northern Ireland’s sports minister, Gordon Lyons, said he is looking forward to “formally marking” McIlroy’s success in the coming weeks.

Ms O’Neill had earlier praised McIlroy for “making history as the first ever from our island to win the prestigious Green Jacket!

“A phenomenal achievement that completes a career Grand Slam, placing him amongst the greatest ever golf players.

“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 said on X.

Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she was “absolutely delighted” for McIlroy.

“This is an incredible achievement and he truly has made Northern Ireland proud of the international stage,” she posted on X.

“The way he held his nerve to win it and finally get the green jacket, and to complete the career Grand Slam is remarkable.”

Ms Little-Pengelly added that she was already looking forward to seeing McIlroy on home fairways in the summer when the Open Championship returns to Northern Ireland.

“The reception when he steps onto the first tee at Royal Portrush in July will be incredible,” she said.

“Hopefully he can give the home fans plenty to cheer as he bids to win a second Open Championship.”

Irish premier Micheal Martin described the win as “epic”.

“The Green Jacket is yours Rory McIlroy,” the Taoiseach posted on X.

“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.”

Deputy Irish premier Simon Harris also posted his congratulations.

“A first Masters and a career Grand Slam means he joins some of the very greatest to have ever played the game,” he said.

“A proud day for him, his family and for Ireland.”

Meanwhile, Ireland’s President Michael D Higgins posed on X: “Congratulations to Rory McIlroy on winning The Masters and completing the career Grand Slam. A truly outstanding achievement.”

It comes as Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt has called for McIlroy to be knighted.

Legendary golfer Tiger Woods was also among those to congratulate McIlroy, writing on X: “Welcome to the club @McIlroyRory.

“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!”

US President Donald Trump, who is passionate about golf, has also praised McIlroy saying: “Well I have to congratulate Rory, that showed tremendous courage.

“He was having a hard time. But it showed great guts and stamina and courage. People have no idea how tough that is.

“It’s better for him that it happened that way because it showed real courage to have come back from what could have been a tragedy was amazing.”

He added: “Justin Rose was great, they’re great athletes under tremendous pressure.”

‘Hard to put into words’

Tony Denver, who was among those watching McIlroy from his home club in Holywood, County Down, told Sky News it was “hard to put into words” how he was feeling following the play-off, as crowds in the background cheered and applauded the world’s number two golf player.

Mr Denver went on to say the feeling was “absolutely fantastic”, adding he remembers McIlroy “from a young lad growing up and he’s now one of the six players to win the Grand Slam which is just unbelievable”.

Ruth Watt, lady captain of Holywood golf club, said: “We are all immensely proud, absolutely delighted to be welcoming Rory back home in that green jacket.

“He has put us through the wringer tonight but what an outcome.”

She added: “There was always something very special about the golf that he played but he is such a gentleman and such a lovely, lovely person.”

For the club, McIlroy’s victory is just “phenomenal”, she said.

World

UK joins NATO operation to bolster Europe’s eastern flank after Russian drone incursions into Poland

Published

4 hours ago

September 12, 2025

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UK joins NATO operation to bolster Europe's eastern flank after Russian drone incursions into Poland

NATO is to bolster Europe’s eastern flank, including the use of UK military resources, after Russia’s “reckless and unacceptable” violation of Polish airspace.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced operation ‘Eastern Sentry’ on Friday, involving the deployment of equipment on the border with Belarus, Russia and Ukraine to deter potential Russian aggression.

Poland shot down Russian drones which flew over the country on Wednesday, something the military alliance has portrayed as an attempt by Moscow to test NATO’s military response.

It underlines long-held concerns about the potential expansion of Russia’s three-year war in Ukraine.

Russia said its drones went astray because they were jammed, but European leaders believe the incursions were a deliberate provocation by Russia.

“It’s reckless and unacceptable. We can’t have Russian drones entering allied airspace,” Mr Rutte told a news conference.

He added that allies, including the UK, France, Germany and Denmark, have so far committed to the mission with others set to join.

In a statement, the UK’s Ministry of Defence said: “The UK is fully committed to playing our part in NATO’s Eastern Sentry following the reckless and dangerous airspace violations by Russia”. It added that the details of the UK’s contribution would be announced soon.

Yvette Cooper visited Ukraine on Friday, her first visit to the country since becoming foreign secretary after a cabinet shake-up by Sir Keir Starmer.

Ms Cooper described her trip, which included a meeting with the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as a demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine.

“The UK will not stand idly by as Putin continues his barbaric invasion of Ukraine,” Ms Cooper said, noting what she said was the Russian president’s “complete disregard for sovereignty” by sending drones into NATO airspace.

Prince Harry also made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Friday, where he met with wounded service members.

NATO already has substantial forces in eastern Europe, including thousands of troops, but the alliance did not explain how many additional forces would be involved in the new operation.

Speaking at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters, US General Alexus Grynkewich told reporters the additional resources will enable the alliance to “plug gaps in the line” and concentrate forces wherever they’re needed while improving communications across NATO’s entire eastern flank.

NATO detailed a modest number of additional military assets – including two F-16 fighter jets and a frigate from Denmark, three Rafale fighter jets from France and four Eurofighter jets from Germany.

The announcement also coincided with a joint military exercise involving thousands of Russian and Belarusian troops, which began on Friday.

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Meanwhile, new measures were announced by the UK against Russia on Friday.

They included bans on 70 vessels the UK says are part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” that transports Russian oil in defiance of sanctions.

Some 30 individuals and companies – including Chinese and Turkey-based firms – were also sanctioned for their part in supplying Russia with electronics, chemicals, explosives and other weapons components.

Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, dismissed Donald Trump’s suggestion that the drone incursion into Poland may have been “a mistake”.

“We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake,” Mr Tusk wrote on X. “But it wasn’t. And we know it.”

US-led efforts to steer Moscow and Kyiv toward a peace settlement have so far failed to progress.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said talks to end the war were currently on “pause” even though channels of communication remain open.

World

Russia-Belarus drills begin as tensions high after drone incursion in Poland

Published

10 hours ago

September 12, 2025

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Russia-Belarus drills begin as tensions high after drone incursion in Poland

Thousands of troops are taking part in a joint military exercise between Russia and Belarus, as tensions with the EU run high following a Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace earlier this week.

The Zapad joint military exercise which began on Friday will involve drills in both Russia and Belarus as well as in the Baltic and Barents seas, the Russian defence ministry said.

Belarusian defence officials initially said about 13,000 troops would participate in the drill, but in May, its defence ministry said that would be cut nearly in half.

It comes just two days after Poland, with support from its NATO allies, shot down Russian drones over its airspace.

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday morning hit back at a suggestion by US President Donald Trump on Thursday that the incursion may have been a “mistake”.

He said in a post on X: “We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. But it wasn’t. And we know it.”

Russia said its forces had been attacking Ukraine at the time of the incursions and that it had not intended to hit any targets in Poland.

Friday also saw Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper travelling to Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv on the same day the UK announced fresh sanctions against Moscow.

Prince Harry was also in Kyiv for a surprise visit to help with the recovery of military personnel seriously injured in the three-year war with Russia.

Ms Cooper, who was appointed foreign secretary last week, posted about her visit on X saying: “The UK’s support for Ukraine is steadfast. I am pleased to be in Kyiv on my first visit as Foreign Secretary.”

The UK’s new sanctions include bans on 70 vessels that Britain says are part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” that transports Russian oil in defiance of sanctions already in place.

Some 30 individuals and companies – including Chinese and Turkey-based firms – have also been sanctioned for their part in supplying Russia with electronics, chemicals, explosives and other weapons components.

Meanwhile on the frontline, Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s oil-loading Primorsk port overnight, an SBU official said.

The attack caused fires and suspended oil-loading operations, the official added.

Russian defence systems also intercepted and destroyed 221 Ukrainian drones overnight.

World

Prince Harry makes surprise visit to Ukraine

Published

16 hours ago

September 12, 2025

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Prince Harry makes surprise visit to Ukraine

Prince Harry has made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, a spokesperson for the royal has said.

Harry, who served 10 years in the British Army, visited the city at the invitation of the Ukrainian government.

The Duke of Sussex travelled to the capital to help with the recovery of military personnel seriously injured in the three-year war with Russia.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will also be travelling to Kyiv on Friday in what will be her first foreign trip since being appointed to the job last week.

Her visit coincides with the UK launching a new package of Russia-related sanctions targeting ships carrying Russian oil as well as companies and individuals supplying electronics, chemicals and explosives used to make Russian weapons.

It comes as Russia and Belarus began a major joint military exercise on on NATO’s doorstep on Friday, just two days after Poland, with support from its NATO allies, shot down suspected Russian drones over its airspace.

The Zapad-2025 exercise – a show of force by Russia and its close ally – will involve drills in both countries and in the Baltic and Barents seas, the Russian defence ministry said.

Meanwhile on the frontline, Russian defence systems intercepted and destroyed 221 Ukrainian drones overnight,
including nine over the Moscow region, the ministry said on Friday.

The duke told the Guardian while on an overnight train to Kyiv: “We cannot stop the war but what we can do is do everything we can to help the recovery process.

“We can continue to humanise the people involved in this war and what they are going through.

“We have to keep it in the forefront of people’s minds. I hope this trip will help to bring it home to people because it’s easy to become desensitised to what has been going on.”

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Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan, previously travelled to Ukraine in April, when he visited war victims as part of his work with wounded veterans.

The prince visited the Superhumans Center, an orthopaedic clinic in Lviv that treats and rehabilitates wounded military personnel and civilians.

Earlier this week, Harry said the King is “great” after he reunited with him at Clarence House for a private tea.

It was their first meeting in 19 months and lasted just 54 minutes.

The last time the father and son saw each other was in February 2024 when the prince flew to the UK after the monarch announced his cancer diagnosis.

Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have lived in California since they quit roles as senior working royals in March 2020.