Rory McIlroy finally wins Masters, completes career grand slam; NBA playoffs, play-in games set

This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. You can sign up to get it in your inbox every weekday morning here.

🏌 Good morning to all, but especially to …

RORY McILROY, MASTERS CHAMPION

He could have gone away Thursday, when he double bogeyed two of his last four holes to fall seven shots back, the largest 18-hole deficit ever overcome at the Masters.

He could have gone away early Sunday, when he double bogeyed the first hole and saw his lead disappear. Or 12 holes later, when he shockingly shoved a 78-yard pitch some 20 yards right and into the water en route to another double bogey. Or on what could have been the clincher at Augusta National Golf Club on 18, where a missed short par putt meant the peril of a playoff.

Then again, he could have gone away at any time over the 11 years, but Rory McIlroy kept showing up, kept plugging away, kept going, heartbreak after heartbreak, question after question — even questioning himself. McIlroy is the 2025 Masters champion, winning his first green jacket and becoming just the sixth man to win the career grand slam.

On the opening hole (18) of the playoff against Justin Rose, McIlroy stuffed his approach shot to 4 feet. After Rose missed a makeable birdie putt, McIlroy sank his and celebrated emotionally, collapsing to the green, sobbing and yelling with relief.
And what a relief it is. Since winning the 2014 PGA Championship, he had finished in the top five at a major 11 times and runner-up (including ties) four times.Every other career grand slam winner — Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen — got the final part of the slam in three tries or fewer. This was McIlroy’s 11th try at Augusta…


Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/rory-mcilroy-finally-wins-masters-completes-career-grand-slam-nba-playoffs-play-in-games-set/

Author : Zachary Pereles

Publish date : 2025-04-14 12:49:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.