Welcome to the club, Rory McIlroy.
That was Tiger Woods’ message to the newest career Grand Slam winner after McIlroy captured his first Masters in a playoff win over Justin Rose on Sunday. The triumph in Augusta rounded out McIlroy’s career Grand Slam — winning all four majors, also including the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship — 11 years after his last major championship.
McIlroy won the Open Championship in 2014, PGA Championship in 2012 and U.S. Open in 2011 to set him up for Sunday’s historic conquest.
“Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special,” Woods wrote on X. “Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you’re a part of history. Proud of you!”
McIlroy is the sixth Grand Slam winner in men’s golf history, joining Woods, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. McIlroy and Woods are the only two men to achieve the feat since 1966.
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!
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 14, 2025
Player also congratulated McIlroy on “one of the rarest and most difficult achievements in all of sport” in a lengthy social media post. Player won the Masters three times (1961, 1974, 1978). He completed his Grand Slam with a win in the 1965 U.S. Open after previously capturing the 1959 Open Championship, 1962 PGA Championship and 1961 Masters.
“We are proud to add Rory to our exclusive club and no doubt he has set the standard for his era,” Player wrote. “To win all four major championships takes unwavering perseverance and the courage to overcome adversity time and time again in the face of immeasurable pressure few have ever experienced. Rory showed true grit today and also through the entire tournament.
“Well done, my friend. Welcome to our club.”
I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Rory McIlroy on his historic win at the Masters and completion of the career Grand Slam. The drama of today capped off with his playoff victory was simply meant to be. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my admiration for Justin… pic.twitter.com/CiUKTMSjr6
— GARY PLAYER (@garyplayer) April 14, 2025
Former Masters champion Phil Mickelson congratulated McIlroy on X for an “incredible” tournament performance, while last year’s Masters winner Scottie Scheffler said on X the green jacket looks good on McIlroy despite taking “11 years to try it on.”
Rose, who McIlroy bested for the title, posted that it was “very cool sharing the green with you in that moment.”
I gave it everything….
Congratulations @McIlroyRory on winning the @TheMasters and completing the Grand Slam.. very cool sharing the green with you in that moment…
Thank you Team🌹 as always for all the support during the week… We go again 👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/vLtMSEFxAs
— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) April 14, 2025
President Donald Trump, who played golf with McIlroy in February, also congratulated the Masters winner aboard Air Force One while flying from Florida to Washington D.C.
“I have to congratulate Rory,” Trump told reporters. “That took 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. He came back. It’s better for him that it happened that way because that showed real courage to have come back from what could’ve been a tragedy – it was amazing.”
(Photo: Simon Bruty / Augusta National / Getty Images)
