“A Tradition Unlike Any Other” Rory McIlroy Wins 89th Annual Masters Tournament

(image via AP/Sky News)

In the 89th Annual Augusta Masters, on Sunday April 13, Rory McIlroy beat Justin Rose in a playoff to win his first Masters tournament, completing his grand slam. 
by Ty Cameron and Drew Caraway

(image via Bleacher Report)

McIlroy vs. Rose in the Playoff
Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a playoff. This was the Masters first playoff hole since 2017, where Sergio Garcia also defeated Justin Rose in a playoff (NBC Golf). McIlroy achieved a birdie (one under par) at -3 and Rose finished with par at 4. 

According to NBC Golf, McIlroy is the sixth player to achieve a grand slam. He joins Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods. NBC Golf says, “Winning the modern Slam includes capturing the four majors: the Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship.” 
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This is McIlroy’s first Masters title since appearing in 2009. The following list is his finishes in the Masters Tournament:

• 2009: Finished tied for 20th
• 2010: Missed the Cut
• 2011: Finished tied for 15th
• 2012: Finished tied for 40th
• 2013: Finished tied for 25th
• 2014: Finished tied for 8th
• 2015: Finished 4th
• 2016: Finished tied for 10th
• 2017: Finished tied for 7th
• 2018: Finished tied for 5th
• 2019: Finished tied for 21st
• 2020: Finished tied for 5th
• 2021: Missed the Cut
• 2022: Finished 2nd
• 2023: Missed the Cut
• 2024: Finished tied for 22nd
• 2025: Finished 1st and won the Masters

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(image via Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated)

Coach Ham 
Coach Josh Ham is the Warrior Golf head coach for both girls and boys teams. He also teaches physics for Walnut Grove High School. Concerning Rory McIlroy winning the Masters, Ham says, “I think it’s fantastic. [Rory McIlroy] winning that. He got something called a ‘career grand slam,’ which is something that you don’t [usually] see in your lifetime. Just to give you backstory, they have been dogging this guy for 11 years, [about] how he’ll never be able to do it, and for [him to win], if you watch the replays of him finishing, [all his] emotion, everything comes out because it’s a relief he finally did something, and it’s just perseverance through everything and it was just fantastic to watch." Coach Ham claimed Rory McIlroy as “my pick from day one.”

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Masters’ Leaderboard * from Masters *

1. Rory McIlroy (England): -11, Playoff Score: -3 (Birdie)
2. Justin Rose (England): -11, Playoff Score: -4 (Par)
3. Patrick Reed (United States): -9
4. Scottie Scheffle (United States): -8
5. T5. Sungjae Im (Korea): -7 
6. T5. Bryson DeChambeau (United States): -7
7. Ludwig Aberg (Sweden): -6
8. T8. Xander Schauffele (United States): -5
9. T8. Zach Johnson (United States): -5
10. T8. Jason Day (Australia): -5
11. T8. Corey Conners (Canada): -5
12. T12. Harris English (United States): -4
13. T12. Max Homa (United States): -4
14. T14. Bubba Watson (United States): -3
15. T14. Jon Rahm (Spain): -3
16. T14. Jordan Spieth (United States): -3
17. T14. Tyrrell Hatton (England): -3
18. T14. Matt McCarty (United States): -3
19. T14. Collin Morikawa (United States): -3 
20. T14. Tom Hoge (United States): -3
21. T21. Hideki Matsuyama (Japan): -2
22. T21. Tommy Fleetwood (England): -2
23. T21. Davis Riley (United States): -2
24. T21. Daniel Berger (United States): -2
25. T21. Byeong Hun An (South Korea): -2
26. T21. Viktor Hovland (Norway): -2
27. T21. Aaron Rai (England): -2
28. T21. Michael Kim (United States): -1

The Masters this year has been a roller coaster of emotions, not only for Mcllory, but for many fans as well. Fans are expecting Tiger Woods to come back next season, but it is still just a rumor.