Now that another exhilarating edition of the Masters is in the books, it’s time to take a look back at just how historic Sunday’s final round was.
On a day where the stakes couldn’t have been higher, Rory McIlroy survived through dramatic highs and lows to finally capture his elusive green jacket (size 38 regular for those wondering).
Despite making four double bogeys during the week—including two on Sunday—McIlroy fought through the adversity and made some critical birdies down the stretch, including the one in a playoff that clinched the title.
McIlroy is just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam. Other than Tiger Woods, it hadn’t been done since Jack Nicklaus in 1966. That puts McIlroy in elite company on a list of the best golfers to ever play (and I think it’s time he joins the top 10 of the all-time greats, narrowly eclipsing Mickelson).
But while there will plenty of time to assess McIlroy’s growing legacy, I want to know your immediate reaction to this Masters Sunday.
Was it the best you’ve ever seen in your lifetime?
The case for it being the best
Many of you reading this might not vividly remember watching the 1986 Masters, famously won by Nicklaus for his 18th and final major championship victory. I wasn’t even alive in 1986 so I can’t comment on what it was like to watch as it happened.
If you did watch it live, I’m guessing that is still the greatest final round you’ve seen. Nicklaus had been in hibernation for quite some time. He had to fend off the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman and Tom Kite to climb the mountaintop one last time.
Jack’s Sunday charge, going 7-under in his last 10 holes, is an iconic moment in the game’s history.
Another classic Masters finish was Tiger Woods winning in 2019. That one had all of the pent-up emotion from Woods overcoming personal adversity to finally reclaim major glory one last time.
I’m not sure if McIlroy’s victory can match those feats but there are a few reasons to consider it.
- The buildup to this moment was incredible. While Nicklaus went six years without a major prior to winning the Masters, McIlroy had suffered 11 years since his last major triumph. He also had 11 years of everyone wondering when he would win the Masters, specifically. Woods also went 11 years in between majors but there was way less attention on a specific tournament.
- The career Grand Slam was on the line for McIlroy. With only five men ever accomplishing this feat, few tournaments have meant more for a player’s legacy. That wasn’t the case for Nicklaus or Woods.
- There was a sense of total desperation. While Nicklaus and Woods winning like they did proved to be historic and captivating, their victories didn’t fundamentally alter their standing in the game. There was less at stake. McIlroy had tried to win the Masters 16 times prior to this past week. His chances were dwindling. Had he not won, it would have been a gaping hole in his legacy.
- McIlroy overcame more final-round adversity. Nicklaus and Woods made few mistakes en route to their victories. Meanwhile, McIlroy looked like he had given the tournament away multiple times, only to battle back. The emotional whiplash had everyone exhausted. I still can’t get off my couch.
- This final round had a playoff. Nicklaus and Woods won in regulation. This Masters Sunday had a playoff where McIlroy and Justin Rose gave great efforts. Rose came close to making birdie but couldn’t convert. McIlroy just stepped up and hit the perfect shot when it mattered most.
What would make your Mount Rushmore of Masters Sundays?
It’s hard for me to rank the best Masters Sundays because I think they are different.
For me, Woods in 2019 is the biggest Masters win. He overcame more internal warfare than Nicklaus. That Sunday may not have been more dramatic than McIlroy’s victory but the enormity of it changes the calculus.
Nicklaus in 1986 is the most iconic. The way he won with the comeback, the birdie putt on 17, the frenzy of players around him who couldn’t match the moment … it might be the most iconic moment in golf history, let alone Masters history.
But if we’re talking pure drama, this McIlroy victory holds the top spot for me. Never has golfer wanted to win a tournament so desperately. The intensity of it was beyond anything we’ve seen. And witnessing McIlroy battle himself down the stretch was certainly theater nobody has matched.
If we are making a Mount Rushmore of Masters Sundays, I would also include the 1997 Masters based off the historic nature of a player like Woods completely dominating for his first major title. It lacked the drama but it is possibly the most-watched golf telecast ever.
There are a ton of other great Masters finishes that can be included in someone’s Mount Rushmore.
- Nicklaus in 1975 when he beat Johnny Miller and Tom Weiskopf.
- Larry Mize stunning Greg Norman in 1987. He also beat Ballesteros in that playoff.
- Mickelson finally getting his long-awaited Masters title in 2004 by making birdie on the 72nd hole.
- Woods beating Chris DiMarco in a two-horse race to win in 2005.
- Bubba Watson’s heroics to win the 2012 Masters in a playoff over Louis Oosthuizen.
What would make your Mount Rushmore of Masters Sundays? And where does 2025 fit?
Let me know below in the comments.
Top Photo Caption: Rory McIlroy collapses to the ground in relief after winning the 2025 Masters. (GETTY IMAGES/Augusta National)
Pat Maweini
1 year ago
The only reason why people say it is because its fresh in their minds…….if you witnessed Jack win it at 46 years of age, you would never say there was a better Masters Sunday