Our 2025 Masters Champion: Rory McIlroy
For the first time in his career, Rory McIlroy is a Masters Champion.
THE champion… Rory McIlroy (Getty Images)
The 2025 Masters came to an exciting finish on Sunday evening when Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose faced each other in a playoff. After both finishing -11, these two golfers found themselves having to play the 18th hole again. With beautiful shots from both Rory and Justin, Rory ultimately came out on top, sealing his win with a gorgeous putt.
Rory has now become the sixth player in PGA history to achieve a career Grand Slam, and his journey to winning his first green jacket is long. It all began when, as a young kid, he would hit golf balls into his mom's washing machine. Now, he has claimed one of the sports' most coveted prizes. We have chills!
An 11-Year Drought
From one champion to another (Getty Images)
The last time we saw Rory McIlroy win a major title was in 2014, at the PGA Championship. Before his win on Sunday, his best finish at a Masters tournament was in 2022, where he found himself in second place behind Scottie Scheffler.
How iconic that Scottie was the one to put the green jacket on Rory yesterday… we are in tears.
All the Emotions
Falling to his knees on the green and throwing his club– Rory was brought to tears when the reality of his win set in. We can only imagine what Rory felt at this time, but his tears made us cry. Celebrating with his wife Erica and 4-year-old daughter Poppy, the McIlroy family is on top of the world.
Harry Diamond: The Best Man and Best Caddie
Brotherhood. (Imagn Images)
From growing up together in Holywood, Northern Ireland, to splitting the Masters prize money, this duo has been through it all. Rory and Harry grew up together, and Rory saw Harry as a big brother. Speaking on his caddie, Rory said, “We’re very close. I love having him on the bag.”
When Rory married Erica Stoll in 2017, Harry was again by his side, serving as his best man.
Rory walked away from this Masters win with roughly $4.2 million in prize money, and Harry, as his caddie, gets 10% of those winnings. This pair and everyone who finished 12th or better is automatically invited back to the 2026 Masters, and we cannot wait to see them take on the course again!
Poppy McIlroy
Poppy looks unbothered, and Erica looks SO chic (Getty Images)
Let’s be honest here: the real star of the show this weekend was Rory and Erica’s daughter, Poppy. Poppy stole our hearts this past week when she made an incredible putt during the Par 3 contest on Wednesday. Taking after her dad and nailing a long-distance putt, Poppy looked darling in her little caddie outfit. When the crowd started cheering for this young golfer and her amazing shot, she did the most realistic thing ever… she cried. Breaking the internet at such a young age, we need more Poppy content for the rest of this golf season.
With what might be the best Masters ending ever, Rory McIlroy is a champion. Adding the green jacket to his wardrobe and a trophy to his mantle, McIlroy can go home knowing he played to win. In the most girl-dad energy ever, Rory gave us the most heartwarming quote to end our Masters journey:
“The one thing I would say to my daughter Poppy… never give up on your dreams. Never, ever give up on your dreams”
See you next year, Masters.