Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Rory McIlroy hugs caddie Harry Diamond after winning in a play-off against Justin Rose.Alamy Stock Photo McIlroy's Masterpiece a distilled version of the tortuous process that will inspire generations Sportspeople will be enthused by the agony and perseverance underpinning path to Masters’ victory. 5.31pm, 14 Apr 2025 Share options AS WE ALL saw in the minutes after he was crowned Masters champion for 2025, Rory McIlroy was engulfed in a vulnerable embrace with his wife, Erica. He had already started to sob while his ball was still rattling in the cup of the 18th hole. A career Grand Slam secured, along with his place in the pantheon of his sport and Irish history, the man from County Down was ready to let it all go. Justin Rose, his vanquished opponent in the play-off, held McIlroy tightly. His childhood friend and caddy, Harry Diamond, was a source of both comfort and a further catalyst for tears. Eyes reddened and those flecks of grey wrapping around his temples, McIlroy continued to look to the skies, a fruitless attempt to perhaps steady the flow of tears. Advertisement Then he locked eyes with his wife, her bountiful white sunhat offering a momentary cloak of protection from the world that was watching. Given their personal toil of recent months this felt even more profound. A sliver of privacy amid so much scrutiny. McIlroy then gripped his daughter with a kind of intense softness that would have set off many more watching at home on television. In the background of all this, as pointed out here, was a gloriously overzealous punter – sorry, patron – stretching every sinew of his body to reach out his arm in the hope of a fist bump. Maybe so many of us were Fist Bump Guy in that moment, intruding on this deeply personal embrace by merely being so enthralled and unable to look away. “Look, it’s a dream come true. I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember. I mentioned it out in the prize ceremony, but watching Tiger [Woods] here in 1997 do what he did, and then winning his first green jacket, I think that inspired so many of my generation to want to emulate what he did,” McIlroy said at the start of his press conference. Now he will be the one future generations strive to replicate, not just in golf but throughout sport. Because this was such a seismic, historic achievement with years of agony underpinning it all. It is not just the success and the glory that will so enthuse athletes from all codes with such inspiration, but the manner in how it was achieved. This Major success came 11 years after his last with enough heartache – personal and professional – in between to fill Rae’s Creek. That is what so many will cling to now. There is a way back to the very top. There is always hope, always a reason to believe and not give in. And through it all there is a place for uncertainty and vulnerability to co-exist within an elite environment that is built on steadfast confidence. McIlroy’s triumph was borne from belief but also accepting shortcomings and finding a way to utilise them rather than somehow trying to ignore their existence and then suddenly being surprised by their appearance. It wasn't a dream. #themasters pic.twitter.com/JIWeyeShDE— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 14, 2025 “You know, there were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders, but I didn’t make it easy today. I certainly didn’t make it easy. I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on the golf course. In a funny way, I feel like the double bogey at the first sort of settled my nerves,” McIlroy said. “And it’s funny, walking to the second tee, the first thing that popped into my head was Jon Rahm a couple years ago making double and going on to win. So at least my mind was in the right place, and was at least thinking positively about it.” To those always stretching in from the outside hoping for a fist bump, McIlroy is now, once and for all, a byword for perseverance and talent delivering excellence. Eventually. “McIlroy has his masterpiece,” the commentator on CBS declared. Over the previous few hours we saw a distilled version of the tortuous, agonising process any artist must endure to get to that point. It was played out in real-time and pulled at so many different emotions. Related Reads 'A proud day for Ireland': McIlroy's dramatic Masters win hailed as 'a finish for the ages' Come on, you knew Rory McIlroy couldn't win the Masters in any way other than that Elite company: Here's why Rory McIlroy's win places him among a rare group of sporting greats Later, after he emerged from Butler Cabin and addressed the gallery in front of the clubhouse, McIlroy turned to his daughter again and told her to never give up on her dreams, to work hard and always believe. There would have been sports people of all ages and at various stages of their careers around the world listening to those same words, taking them in and truly believing in the message that was coming from someone who finally, finally, emerged through all of their own doubt to deliver a sermon that will endure for all of time alongside his achievement. David Sneyd Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “McIlroy's Masterpiece a distilled version of the tortuous process that will inspire generations”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “McIlroy's Masterpiece a distilled version of the tortuous process that will inspire generations”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion masters 2025 Rory McIlroy The Masters Freein the past Leinster's Joe McCarthy has 'moved on' from 6 Nations disappointment Freeventure Luka Modric becomes co-owner of Championship club FreeProgress Bournemouth beat Fulham to boost European hopes FreeGoing Well Former Man United midfielder grabs brace as Napoli stay in title hunt Freeillness Newcastle manager Eddie Howe diagnosed with pneumonia FreeConvincing Shamrock Rovers too good for troubled Cork Man charged with alleged sexual assault after Armagh GAA trip to the US last year silent treatment 'He wouldn't talk to me' - Bryson on playing final Masters round with McIlroy Try to make sense of that Come on, you knew Rory McIlroy couldn't win the Masters in any way other than that Gavin Cooney Rory McIlroy: 'I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember' Connacht hit by heavy injury toll ahead of South Africa tour more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online Sign in or create a free account To continue reading create a free account Or sign into an existing account