Rory McIlroy and the journey to becoming an 'immortal' golfer

TPO - In the fierce and competitive world of sports, not everyone can maintain their peak performance for more than a decade. But Rory McIlroy - a young man from Northern Ireland - not only maintained that level, but also became a living symbol of passion, determination and perseverance. A man who dared to face failure, dared to dream and persistently pursued his dream to the end.

Rory McIlroy was named the best amateur golfer of The Open 2007.

Natural talent and a bright start

Born in 1989 in Holywood (Northern Ireland), Rory McIlroy grew up with golf clubs and his talent was evident early on. In 2007, at the age of 18, McIlroy won the Silver Medal for the best amateur golfer at The Open, which was a stepping stone for him to quickly turn professional shortly after.

In just a few short years, McIlroy, at the age of 22, stunned the world by winning the 2011 US Open. He led from the first round and maintained that position in the following rounds, finishing with a score of -16 (268) - a US Open record at that time, surpassing the old record of Tiger Woods. The achievement with a difference of 8 strokes over the runner-up showed an almost absolute dominance.

The victory not only brought McIlroy his first major title in his career, but also declared to the world: "I am ready to join the ranks of great golfers."

In the following years, McIlroy continued to prove his class by adding to his major collection 3 titles: PGA Championship (2012, 2014) and The Open (2014).

With his bold style, powerful swing and intelligent play, McIlroy quickly became the biggest hope of European golf, and a worthy rival to icons like Tiger Woods.

Rory McIlroy won the 2011 US Open, the PGA Championship (2012, 2014) and The Open 2014.

The shadow of Augusta and the pursuit of the Grand Slam

Four major titles in three years, McIlroy soon joined the ranks of the best golfers in the world. However, no one could have expected that the most important title and the final piece in the Grand Slam collection, The Masters, would make him wait 11 years.

In 2011, McIlroy led after 54 holes, but collapsed in the final round - one of the worst defeats in the history of the tournament. Although he returned to Augusta in good form several times since then, the gold jacket has always eluded him like an unbreakable curse .

Time passed, new names appeared, expectations piled up into pressure. McIlroy had no shortage of opportunities, but he always stumbled at crucial moments. The media questioned. Fans doubted. And for McIlroy himself, every time he left Augusta without the green jacket was a scratch on his soul.

But instead of giving up, he chose to continue fighting. No complaining, no blaming. McIlroy quietly trained himself, improved his fitness, changed his tactics, hired a mental coach and especially asked his close friend Harry Diamond, a famous amateur golfer, to be his bagman.

McIlroy exploded with emotion after winning The Masters 2025.

Tears of Liberation

McIlroy had a poor start to the 2025 Masters with an even-par 72 and dropped to T27 on the leaderboard after round 1. But he came back strong three rounds later to compete for the championship. In a dramatic playoff with Justin Rose, McIlroy's brilliant wedge shot landed just 1 meter from the hole, paving the way for the decisive birdie, thereby winning the first Masters title of his career.

This victory is not simply a title. It is salvation , proof that he has not collapsed after so many heartbreaks. At The Open 2019, McIlroy cried because he missed a cut in his hometown. At the Ryder Cup 2021, he shed tears blaming himself. The Masters 2022 and then The Open that same year, his wife had to comfort him after collapsing at the gates of heaven. Those moments, though painful, are what make McIlroy different: a man with absolutely no cover up.

On the 18th green at Augusta after defeating Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy burst into tears. The tears he had been holding back for more than a decade were finally released. The relief made his legs buckle and his whole body collapse. He held his head, ran his hands through his gray hair, soaked with sweat and tears.

McIlroy cried as he hugged caddie Harry Diamond. McIlroy cried when he saw his wife and children in the crowd cheering his name. Tears of victory, of liberation, extinguished his doubts about himself. Tears after thousands of hours of internal struggle with the repeated question: "Will that day (winning The Masters) ever come?"

Of course, McIlroy’s journey to the green jacket was not an easy one. If it was, he wouldn’t have had to wait more than a decade. But because the journey was so difficult, the victory was all the more meaningful.

The moment a sea of ​​people chanted 'Rory' shook Augusta National.

When the world thought McIlroy couldn’t do it, he proved otherwise. He held his nerve where others collapsed. He snatched victory from the jaws of fate when it seemed it was slipping away. He did what the doubters didn’t believe he had the guts to do. He did what the golf world had been waiting for for years.

Under the clear skies of Augusta, amid the cheers of the crowd, in front of the best competitors and millions of global viewers, Rory McIlroy officially became the champion of The Masters 2025.

"I've dreamed of this moment for a long time. There were times when I thought I would never wear this green jacket. There were times when I made the game much more difficult. This was one of the most stressful days of my career," the Northern Irish golfer said emotionally, his voice trembling.

As McIlroy walked into the clubhouse, the Augusta staff, who rarely showed emotion, lined up to applaud. They were applauding not just for a win. They were applauding for a man who refused to give up. It was not just a title, but a reward for perseverance, a testament to the saying: “Talent can get you to the top, but only drive and passion can keep you there.”

McIlroy completes Grand Slam collection.

A new chapter of history opens

Winning the 2025 Masters title not only closes a long chapter in McIlroy’s career, but also opens a new era. He has won all four majors – completing the Grand Slam – a feat only five players in history have achieved: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. McIlroy is the first in more than two decades to join that legendary list.

He is also the oldest Masters champion since Mark O'Meara in 1998. But age has not dimmed his talent, it has even forged McIlroy into a better version: more patient, more courageous, and more appreciative of every moment.

“When I was young, I thought everything would come easy,” McIlroy said. “I thought I could win 10 majors. But golf doesn’t work like that. It teaches you how to fail, how to wait, how to look at yourself. And today, it’s because of those failures that I can really feel the full meaning of this victory.”

Under the canopy of the Augusta Club, McIlroy donned the legendary green jacket. The applause, the beaming eyes, and the memories of his previous major victories came rushing back like slow motion. That moment was not just the end of a journey, but also a release.

Finally, Rory McIlroy is the Masters champion, now and forever.

Information about the 2025 Masters champion:

Rory Daniel McIlroy

Date of birth: May 4, 1989

Hometown: Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland

Height: 1m75

Became a professional golfer: 2007

Number of major titles: 5 (US Open 2011, PGA Championship 2012 and 2014; The Open 2014, The Masters 2025)

Other notable achievements: 44 professional titles worldwide, 29 PGA Tour wins, 19 European Tour wins, 3 FedEx Cup wins (2016, 2019, 2022), 4 PGA Tour Player of the Year awards (2012, 2014, 2019, 2022), 5 European Tour Golfer of the Year awards (2012, 2014, 2015, 2022, 2024).

Trong Dat

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