11 whole years – that’s how long Rory McIlroy had been waiting for this moment. And what a moment it was. He finally won the Masters, completing the Career Grand Slam and proving all the doubters wrong. The 89th edition of the tournament was absolutely electric, with a crazy leaderboard and storylines that had everyone hooked. McIlroy’s win was the perfect ending to an already thrilling tournament, and it’s one that’ll be remembered for a long time, but maybe not for the reason you think.

When asked about Rory McIlroy’s historic win, completing the career grand slam, Rickie Fowler shared his thoughts on the momentous occasion, per the latest post by SiriusXM PGA Tour. Fowler, who did not qualify for the 2025 Masters, revealed that he didn’t get to watch the entire final round. “We were actually flying up here to Hilton Head, and so I saw you know roughly you know around the turn or after 10 he was in a what looked like a very comfortable spot,” Fowler said.

Fowler’s observation was spot on, as McIlroy had indeed taken the right approach at the 12th hole, a 155-yard par-3. By hitting the ball to the center of the green and securing par, McIlroy followed the strategy recommended by golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods – to play it safe and avoid taking unnecessary risks. This smart play allowed McIlroy to maintain a strong position, finishing with a total score of 13-under. In contrast, Bryson DeChambeau took a riskier approach and found the back bunker, resulting in a bogey. Fowler jokingly mentioned that McIlroy made it a little harder on himself after the 12th hole, but ultimately earned his win.

“I remember you know getting on the ground and checking, kind of updating, I’m like what happened… Rosie put together a nice Sunday, and yeah, it shouldn’t have come to that, but like you said definitely made for some good TV,” Fowler quipped, adding that he ran into Justin Rose at Hilton Head and consoled him over his runner-up finish.

Despite not watching the entire round, Fowler was thrilled that McIlroy achieved this milestone, saying, “I’m glad he got it done, obviously that’s a massive achievement, something he’s had, you know, on his shoulders for a long time.” And well, he did.

Rory McIlroy’s latest win was a ‘battle’ with himself

The phone call still lingered in Rory McIlroy’s mind – the one he made to his parents after his heartbreaking loss at the 2011 Masters. He was just 21, with a four-shot lead on the final day, and his mistakes on the course led to a tied 15th finish. The emotions overwhelmed him, and he broke down in tears on the phone with his parents. “My mum might have said something like: ‘Oh don’t worry Rory, everything will be OK’, and I just blubbed back: ‘No, it won’t be OK’!” he recalled.

Fast-forward 14 years, and McIlroy finally achieved his lifelong dream of winning the Masters. The emotions overflowed as he sank a 3-foot putt to beat Justin Rose in a nail-biting sudden-death playoff. As he collected his green jacket, McIlroy fell to his knees, letting out a primal scream that echoed the years of pent-up frustration he’d been carrying. In a heartfelt interview, McIlroy broke down as he thanked his parents for their sacrifices, revealing they watched the win from their home in Northern Ireland.

“It was 14 years in the making,” McIlroy said, his voice shaking with emotion. “There was a lot of pent-up emotion that came out on that 18th green. But a moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.” McIlroy’s win marked a triumphant moment in his career, as he joined an elite group of golfers who have completed a career Grand Slam. The weight of his journey was palpable as he reflected on his win, saying, “My battle today was with myself. It was a struggle, but I got it over the line.”