Rory McIlroy claims career Grand Slam with US Masters win

Published

8 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

Thailand launches airstrikes against Cambodia as border clashes reignite

Published

5 hours ago

December 8, 2025

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Thailand launches airstrikes against Cambodia as border clashes reignite

Thailand has launched airstrikes and said it has struck military targets along the border with Cambodia, as both sides accused the other of attacking first.

One Thai soldier was killed and eight others wounded, according to Thai army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree, who also said Cambodian troops fired first into Thai territory.

Thailand used aircraft “to strike military targets in several areas to suppress Cambodian supporting fire attacks,” he added.

In Cambodia, Met Measpheakdey, deputy governor of Oddar Meanchey province, wrote in a Facebook post that three civilians had been seriously injured.

Cambodian officials said the Thai military attacked their troops first in Preah Vihear province.

“Cambodia urges that Thailand immediately stop all hostile activities that threaten peace and stability in the region,” said Cambodian defence ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata.

Tensions have simmered since the neighbouring countries signed a US-brokered ceasefire agreement in October, put forward by US President Donald Trump.

Their territorial disputes led to five days of combat in July that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that military operations would be carried out as necessary to defend the country and protect public safety.

“Thailand has never wished for violence. I’d like to reiterate that Thailand has never initiated a fight or an invasion, but will never tolerate a violation of its sovereignty,” he said.

In Thailand, more than 385,000 civilians across several border districts are being evacuated, with over 35,000 already housed in temporary shelters, military officials said.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian Education Ministry said several schools along the border had been shut.

Footage posted online showed what appeared to be students hurriedly leaving classes to meet their parents.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged Thailand and Cambodia to “exercise maximum restraint”.

In a post on social media, he added: “Our region cannot afford to see long-standing disputes slip into cycles of confrontation.”

Si Sa Ket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani provinces in Thailand, and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces were among the areas said to be caught up in the latest clashes.

On Sunday, both nations accused each other of opening fire along the border in what the Thai army said was an incident that lasted around 20 minutes and resulted in the injury of two of its soldiers.

But Cambodia said that the Thai side fired first and that Cambodian troops did not retaliate.

For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at points along their 508-mile (817km) land border.

World

President Trump may walk away from Ukraine peace process, his eldest son says

Published

17 hours ago

December 7, 2025

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President Trump may walk away from Ukraine peace process, his eldest son says

Donald Trump’s eldest son has said his father may walk away from the Ukraine peace process, claiming the issue is not a priority for Americans, and signalling Europe needs a better plan.

In a wide-ranging discussion with Sky’s lead world news presenter Yalda Hakim at Doha Forum 2025, Donald Trump Jr addressed issues including the US administration’s recent diplomatic efforts around the world.

He was speaking in his capacity as a business leader, setting out his agenda for “America first” investments in defence technology and artificial intelligence (AI), drawing a direct line between global stability and economic prosperity.

Ukraine war latest – follow live updates

When asked directly if he believed the US president would walk away from Ukraine, he answered: “I think he may, what’s good about my father and what’s unique about my father is you don’t know what he’s going to do. He’s unpredictable.”

President Trump has led renewed efforts for a ceasefire deal with Russia in recent months.

Drawing a parallel with his father’s current “war” on drug cartels, Donald Trump Jr described gangs bringing illegal drugs into America as a “far greater clear and present danger to the US than anything [going on] in the Ukraine or Russia”.

While he said he did not believe Ukraine would be “abandoned”, he said: “The American public doesn’t have the appetite [for endless wars and further funding of Ukraine’s military efforts].”

Describing Ukraine as “a far more corrupt country than Russia”, he characterised Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as “one of the great marketeers of all time”, who he said had become “a borderline deity, especially to the left”.

He went on to describe President Trump’s approach as “common sense”.

China rivalry was the focus, but Musk got a mention

Yalda Hakim

Lead world news presenter

@SkyYaldaHakim

In a country and at a conference which is friendly, even admiring of the Trump administration, Don Jr was in his element.

He’s here in his capacity as a business leader, promoting his venture, 1789 Capital which claims to be focused on “America First” investments.

But he wasn’t shy about discussing his father’s foreign policy achievements, boasting that Donald Trump had resolved seven or eight wars – conflicts that most ordinary Americans were unaware of.

His pitch is bullish and direct – the current US administration is projecting strength globally, stopping wars and creating investment opportunities which serves the American economy. It’s the MAGA mentality for the global audience.

It’s clear that the rivalry with China is their biggest focus, especially finding ways to combat their dominance over critical minerals.

“America can no longer just sit there and hope that China is going to be a good actor… I think the rest of the world understands that they want America to be at the forefront of all of that.”

When I asked him about recent efforts by President Trump to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, he responded forcefully. “We want peace, we want to stop the death.”

But he went on to say that Europe needed to shoulder the burden and currently they have no plan.

As he sat on the stage in Qatar, the country which has been at the centre of the ceasefire efforts for Gaza, he expressed hope that peace would prevail, but balanced expectations America would fund its re-construction. This would have to be a global effort.

“If there’s one thing my father is, it’s a builder… I think he can be the greatest construction manager in the history of the world, but no one in America wants to bear the entire responsibility of that.”

And, away from international diplomatic efforts, he was happy to announce a breakthrough closer to home.

The “bromance” with Elon Musk and President Trump is back on – calling the entrepreneur a “generational talent, a generational level of genius”.

‘Bromance’ back on

He also confirmed that Tesla billionaire Elon Musk was “100% back in the fold”, after previously appearing to fall out with the president.

Earlier this year, Donald Trump Jr’s investment company, 1789 Capital, heavily invested in some of Musk’s companies, including SpaceX.

Directly comparing President Trump with Musk, he said: “Imagine dealing with one Donald Trump – now I have to deal with two.

“They’re very similar that way, so it created some headaches… but the reality is they’re both very much aligned, they’re on message with what we want to do with our country. What we want to do with freedom of speech.”

He went on: “Elon did incredible things for Twitter, really allowed the democratisation of truth and freedom and free speech to occur. That’s something that is a true threat in America right now.”

He also praised Musk as “changing the face of free speech, science and technology”, adding, “we have to protect our geniuses”.

When asked whether Mr Trump would stand for a third term, he joked that he could be “just trolling” those on the left.

He went on, “He’s the most unpredictable person, probably in the history of politics. Which is why he’s able to get something done. We’ll see.”