Rory McIlroy, Masters champion. Easy to write, hard to believe. Especially after a Sunday when drama rained down from the towering pines and an inspired Justin Rose threatened to ruin the coronation, only eventually submitting in a play-off.
Yet with three iron shots – on the 15th, 17th and on that first extra hole – that rank up there with the very best and bravest in the game’s annals, McIlroy claimed what for so long has been considered his birthright.
More than a decade after he had won his most recent major, the 35-year-old at last chalked up No 5 and so became just the sixth male player in history to complete the career grand slam – and the first European. Yes, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods… you have a new member in your exclusive club.
Historic was one word to describe it. Another was exhausting. Thanks to his mistakes and the extraordinary indefatigability of Rose, the many admirers of McIlroy suffered a final two hours that stretched the credulity of this mad, mad sport to new absurdity.
McIlroy was five clear with eight holes left. And beat the 44-year-old Rose – who made an astonishing 10 birdies in his 65 – in sudden death with a birdie. With Rory, it was never going to be straightforward, was it?
“It feels incredible,” he said. “This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time. The last 10 years coming here with the burden of the grand slam on my shoulder and trying to achieve it… well, I wonder what we’re going to talk about going into next year? I’m absolutely honoured, thrilled and proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion. My dreams have been made today.”
Feel for Rose, because this was his third Masters runner-up placing and his second play-off defeat after being nudged out by Sergio Garcia in 2017. At the very least, this display will convince captain Luke Donald that he warrants a seventh Ryder Cup in September. But the upshot was that the gates of Augusta finally swung open for McIlroy, this Northern Irishman who always kept faith that they would and so, too, did those doors to immortality.
In 2019, Augusta National was in awe when Woods breached his 11-year gap between green jackets. This was McIlroy’s first time in the Butler Cabin. But it had been the same period back to McIlroy’s US PGA win in 2014 and that was appropriate. Because this felt just as big.
DeChambeau drops away
McIlroy went out with a two-shot advantage over Bryson DeChambeau and of course there was needle in the Georgia air. Ten months before, McIlroy was two clear of DeChambeau with five holes remaining in the US Open. There it was. The closure of the barren run.
Except, McIlroy missed a three-footer on the 16th and a four-footer on the 18th and watched in despair as DeChambeau stole the trophy with an all-time up-and-down from a greenside bunker. It was McIlroy’s biggest chance of that lost decade. Although that term should come with an asterix, as in that time, McIlroy won 23 other titles and racked up hundred of millions of dollars in on-course and off-course earnings. Neverthesless he was crestfallen. Payback time.
The early skirmishes were outrageous. In 30 minutes DeChambeau had wrested the lead. McIlroy double-bogeyed the first, after finding the bunker off the tee and then could only par the second. DeChambeau’s birdie on the par five sent gasps throughout the layout. But they soon turned back on him, when McIlroy nervelessly birdied the third and the fourth.
Rory McIlroy birdies No. 4 and now has a three-shot lead. #themasterspic.twitter.com/7VIiT5yX9b
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
For years, Mcilroy has assured us that he is resilient and that the “flakey” reputation was unfair. These four days, he proved it in buckets of his own sweat and toil. He bounced back from those two late double-bogeys in the first round, to shoot a 66. And he rebounded from this early setback by going from the hunted to the hunter and back to the hunted and then disappeared into the sun again.
Well, for DeChambeau anyway. The Californian had an awful spell, double-bogeying the 11th and bogeying the 12th. McIlroy had meanwhile birdied the 10th and at that stage was five clear with eight to play.
Granted, out of the shadows had come Rose, but surely he did not have the holes or the time to launch a challenge? Incredibly, neither were true. McIlroy bogeyed the 11th after actually catching a break – he was a few feet away from finding the water – and then on the 13th made a mental error that was compounded by a technical botch-up.
McIlroy laid up from the middle of the fairway on the par-five. He then hit his third into Rae’s Creek. That was the danger when choosing the supposedly “safe” option. If he had gone for it, as he had every other day, the worst outcome would have been a bogey. Instead, he suffered a double. And when Rose followed up his birdies on the 11th, 12th and 13th, with yet another on the 15th, it was level.
Justin Rose birdies No. 15 and moves into solo second. #themasterspic.twitter.com/ZvgMLGwAtY
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
Back-nine tussle with Rose
Disbelief was soon piled on by more disbelief when the young Swede Ludvig Aberg birdied the 15th to make it a three-way tie. What on earth was going on? In the space of a few peach melbas the procession had turned into a charge for the line. Aberg bogeyed the 17th, however, and it was ultimately between the man from Holywood and the man from Hampshire.
Rose led for the first two rounds but was discounted after a 75 on Saturday. Rose was the 17-year-old who chipped in on the 18th to finish fourth as a skinny amateur at the Open in 1998– so he does not do “can’t”. He was the teenager who immediately joined the paid ranks and missed 22 cuts in a row – so he does not do “I’m done”.
Rose bogeyed the 17th and with McIlroy birdieing the 15th – after a remarkable second from 210 yards to seven feet with a strike that truly deserved an eagle – he was one behind again.
Poised to make eagle. Rory McIlroy goes for glory on No. 15. #themasterspic.twitter.com/hAM0zxnkM7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
But still Rose, tackling the 18th, declined to buckle. He hit his approach to 20 feet and holed the putt. The patrons went all un-Augustalike, leaping into a frenzy. It was all on McIlroy.
He was playing the 17th and after taking a three-wood off the tee, attacked the pin from 200 yards. Again, it was amazing. Hanging in the air and coming to rest within five feet. He backed off. Excruciating. At last he stepped forward again and it dropped and he needed a par at the 18th.
Rory McIlroy hits it to two feet on No. 17. #themasterspic.twitter.com/zY6tdgqZ13
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
The greats were beckoning and he drilled it down the shute into the fairway. Yet McIlroy missed the green and found the sand and could only cajole it to five feet. It was a putt for the Masters. He pulled it. And the agonising wait went on.
Back to the 18th tee. They played the hole magnificently. Rose hitting it to 15 feet. McIlroy to four feet. There had to be a winner. And what a winner. He fell to his knees, in almost convulsion and after hugging caddie Harry Diamond, was in the embrace of Rose.
“I told Rory it was a privilege to be on the green at such an historic moment – when a friend completed the career grand slam,” Rose said. A class act on a classic Masters Sunday.
Rory McIlroy gave everything. #themasterspic.twitter.com/Iv38QeVTbm
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
01:11 AM BST
Admit it, you’re still too pumped to sleep
So why don’t you relive that final round with this blow-by-blow account of one of the greatest days in golfing history.
READ: Rory McIlroy’s roller-coaster ride to Masters glory
12:55 AM BST
Suits you, sir
Rory McIlroy receives his Green Jacket. #themasterspic.twitter.com/0ulQ963w68
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
12:53 AM BST
Here’s a stat
Most double bogeys/worse in a Masters win
2025 Rory McIlroy, 4
1982 Craig Stadler, 3— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 13, 2025
12:50 AM BST
Rory in the Butler Cabin – ‘There was a lot of pent-up emotion that came out on the 18th green’
On finally winning the Masters…
“It feels incredible. I’ve been here 17 times and wondered if ever be my time. The past 10 years I’ve been coming here with the burden of the Grand Slam and trying to achieve that. I just wonder what everyone will talk about ahead of the Masters next year! But I am honoured and thrilled to call myself Masters champion.”
On the final round…
“When I hit the wedge into the creek at 13 I thought I did a good job at bouncing back from that. Also the double at the first. I was really nervous [heading into the round] I think that double calmed my nerves. I am proud of being able to bounce back in the way I did.”
On the play-off…
“I had two yards less in play-off than in regulation. It was a good number and just had a good, committed swing.”
On ending the major drought, winning a Green Jacket and completing the Grand Slam…
“It wasn’t 10 years in the making, it was 14 years in the making from the four-shot lead in 2011. There was a lot of pent-up emotion that came out on the 18th that made all the close calls worth it. I just want to say hello to Mum and Dad who are watching at home in Northern Ireland. I cannot wait to see them next week and celebrate with them.”
12:34 AM BST
How to ruin this moment?
Have an interview in the Butler Cabin.
The winner’s interviews at the Masters are mawkish in the worse possible sense. Sentimentality on speed combined with the feel of scene straight out of a David Lynch film.
12:27 AM BST
A triptych titled: Completing The Career Grand Slam
12:24 AM BST
He’s receiving a lot of high fives and congratulations
As he makes his way to the clubhouse, before he tells everyone: ‘I’m going to go get a Green Jacket.’
He’s been wanting to utter those words for 14 years…From the upsetting emotion of the 2011 Masters meltdown to the happy emotion of today, Rory has been on a rollercoaster.
12:21 AM BST
Here’s the elite club Rory joins
12:21 AM BST
That was emotional, epic, utterly brilliant
And, of course, it was never going to be straightforward. It hasn’t been with Rory since he won 11 years ago at Valhalla.
But, boy, does he deserve that.
An all-time great finally has a very considerable monkey off his back and he cannot quite believe it.
12:18 AM BST
Take a bow Rory McIlroy!
He’s done it! And as soon as the putt drops sinks to the ground in disbelief. He looks emotional and I imagine many of you are as well.
He is the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam.
A long time coming. Congratulations, Rory. #themasterspic.twitter.com/f72nOxQbfw
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
12:17 AM BST
Rose to putt first – can he put Rory under pressure?
No he cannot. It’s a good putt and flirts with dropping but misses on the low side.
Over to you Rory?
Can you make history?
12:11 AM BST
Rory has 128 yards to the pin
And it’s a beauty!
He fires in over the pin, uses the slope to spin it back to the flag and it ends three foot away.
Rose and Rory – both take a bow.
The cinema of the 73rd hole. #themasterspic.twitter.com/wJgncWWhOr
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
12:10 AM BST
Rose to go first
The Englishman has 157 yards to the pin. It looks good in the air and even better on the ground as it ends 10 foot from the pin. He’ll have a fairly flat putt.
Over to you Rory…
12:06 AM BST
Anyone sitting comfortably?
If you are, I am not sure how…
12:05 AM BST
Rose finds the fairway
As does Rory, whose drive is a carbon copy of his drive about 15 minutes ago.
12:03 AM BST
First play-off hole
Is back at 18.
Rose will drive first.
11:59 PM BST
Word on Rose
He lost to Sergio Garcia in a play-off in 2017 (the most recent Masters play-off). If he wins he’s more than a deserving winner – a final-round 66 was remarkable, he fired in 10 birdies.
Rose has to be the favourite.
Anticipating the moment of glory on the 18th, Rory McIlroy’s wife Erica and daughter Poppy had appeared beside the green to congratulate him. He gave them both a kiss as he went past. He looked emotionally exhausted heading to the play-off. The only possible encouragement for McIlroy is that his opponent, Justin Rose, also has his demons to conquer after losing in this fashion to Sergio Garcia in 2017, the last time the Masters went to sudden death.
11:56 PM BST
There is a ‘Tom Watson at Turnberry’ feel about this now
Watson missed a short putt (also on the low side) to win The Open at the age of 59 and was completely gone come the three-hole play-off against Stewart Cink (the man who shot Bambi).
I hope that isn’t the case here and whoever wins the one-hole sudden-death play-off does it with birdie brilliance rather than due to a mini, tiny collapse by their opponent.
11:53 PM BST
Stunned
Only word for it.
It’s now Rory vs Rose.
11:53 PM BST
Oh no…
Rory misses on the low side, and it will go to a sudden-death play-off.
Anyone else feel deflated?
11:51 PM BST
Rory will have a five-foot putt for the career Grand Slam
A great chip out of the bunker, especially under these circumstances, leaves him with a fairly flat putt for the Green Jacket and to put us all out of our tense misery.
Here we go…
11:48 PM BST
Rory is a huge Man Utd fan
So will use a phrase of Sir Alex Ferguson’s…
This is squeaky-bum time
11:47 PM BST
Rory has 125 yards to the pin
And…he continues to put us through the wringer as he hits the approach into the right bunker.
Up and down now for the Green Jacket…
11:42 PM BST
Perfection from Rory on the 18th tee box
No flirting with the trees on the right, no hint of going into the bunkers on the left. The drive bisects the fairway and I am now going to say he’s now on the verge of golfing history and ending the long wait for the Green Jacket without fear of jinxing it.
11:38 PM BST
Yesterday…
…Rory blocked his drive and flirted with the trees.
He just needs to find the fairway.
Still the patrons (got it right this time…hurrah) chant ‘Rory, Rory, Rory, Rory, Rory’
11:37 PM BST
Meanwhile Aberg…
…is having a nightmare on that very same hole. Having dropped a shot at the 17th. The talented Swede triple bogeys the last.
Having had share of the lead 30 minutes ago he ends on six under.
Now, it’s all about Rory.
Anyone else really nervous?
11:35 PM BST
Par at the last wins it for Rory
Banishing 11 years of near misses, of thousands of questions, lots of doubts now rest on McIlroy making a four at the fabled (and tough) 18th…
Gulp…
11:33 PM BST
BIRDIE FOR RORY AT 17
The fans, sorry, patrons (been making that understandable mistake all week…) are chanting ‘Rory, Rory, Rory, Rory’ as he sinks the four-footer to move back to sole lead on 12 under.
11:30 PM BST
Whatever happens this has been insane entertainment
And possibly the greatest Masters ever (huge recently bias there, I admit…)
11:29 PM BST
Rory’s drive finds the right fairway at the 17th
That leaves him 197 yard to the pin. He bullies an eight iron all the way in the air, at least it looks as though he does, prompting Rory to shout ‘GO, GO, GO, GO’ at the ball.
And go it does.
It lands 15 yards short of the pin before running up to about eight foot short of the cup.
Great chance for birdie.
That was yet another brilliant shot under the most tense of circumstances. This is both so nervy and yet so entertaining. Part watch through your fingers, part sit back and lap up the brilliance on display.
11:23 PM BST
Knife edge
One great shot and one great putt wins this for Rory. One poor shot one poor putt loses it.
So tight. So tense. Anyone else have clammy hands?!
11:22 PM BST
Comeback history in the making?
Largest 54-hole comebacks to win Masters:
8 shots, Jack Burke Jr. in 1956
7 shots, Gary Player in 1978Justin Rose was 7 back to begin the day
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 13, 2025
11:20 PM BST
What do the stats gurus say?
Justin Rose is now the statistical favourite to win the Masters. Data Golf gives the veteran Englishman a 57.7 per cent chance of wearing the Green Jacket, with McIlroy a 42.2 per cent chance after failing to birdie the 16th.
Rose’s chances of victory were just 0.6 per cent walking off the 14th.
11:17 PM BST
Rory stays at 11 under
His birdie putt stays at ground level, missing on the high side.
Level at the top on 11 under but Rose is in the clubhouse after a quite brilliant six-under 66…
Buckle up for the next two holes of Rory…
11:15 PM BST
ROSE HOLES BIRDIE PUTT AT 18
He’s done it…wow. He drains the breaking 20-footer to get to 11 under and is the clubhouse leader.
THIS FINAL ROUND HAS EVERYTHING...(sorry, once again, caps lock and bold are both justified…)
Justin Rose sets the Clubhouse lead with a Sunday 66. #themasterspic.twitter.com/YupKW0xHyp
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
11:13 PM BST
Another beauty from Rory
He hits his tee shot at the par-three 16th right to that top shelf, where the pin is, to leave him with a 10-foot putt for birdie.
Boy, does McIlroy send the heart racing for all the right AND wrong reasons…
11:09 PM BST
Rory misses the eagle putt at 15
BUT taps in for birdie. He’s back at 11 under and has a one-shot lead…
11:09 PM BST
Rose’s drive at 18 finds the fairway
His approach then finds the green to leave him a breaking 20-footer for birdie.
11:06 PM BST
WHAT. A. SHOT. RORY!!
The shot of the tournament has just been played. Perhaps the shot of his life. He’s hooks what I think is a five iron from 208 yards to within six feet of the pin at the 15th. Eagle gives him a two-shot lead, birdie a one-shot lead. There was 40-foot of bend in that shot. Ridiculously good…!
Wow. He spanks an 82-yard chip into the water then does that. That was a shot, that, should he win, will be played again and again for the rest of his life. That was Monte Carlo or bust…
Meanwhile, DeChambeau has completely unravelled. His approach to the 15th finds the water.
Poised to make eagle. Rory McIlroy goes for glory on No. 15. #themasterspic.twitter.com/hAM0zxnkM7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
11:01 PM BST
As an aside
And one that, right now, really doesn’t matter…this is looking very good for the Ryder Cup. Three Europeans battling it out for the Green Jacket.
The person smiling a lot right now will be Luke Donald. As for everyone else, nerves…
10:57 PM BST
Three-way tie at the top
This has everything…and is ridiculously tense.
Rose misses a five-footer at the 17th and drops back to 10 under.
This is how the leaderboard now looks (did not see this coming 30 minutes ago).
Rose 10 under
McIlroy 10 under
Aberg 10 under
10:53 PM BST
Rory bogeys 14
His chip left him with a six-footer for par. The putt somehow stays above ground, a gust of wind would have sunk it. Alas, it stays visible. He’s now at 10 under AND ROSE IS SOLE LEADER…
10:52 PM BST
Aberg birdies the 15th
The Swede is now at 10 under, just one shot back. He is over the water at the par-five in two and two from there gets him right back in this.
This is nervy to blog, let alone play in…
Ludvig Åberg is within one shot of the leaders. #themasterspic.twitter.com/oS213EKsnz
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
10:48 PM BST
Rory tries to violently cut his approach at 14
It’s a good shot but it’s short and left. He still has plenty of green to work with.
Meanwhile, Rose has overhanging branches to deal with on his approach to the 17th. He sends his second short right.
Two VERY BIG (yep, caps lock and bold are justified…) up-and-down attempts coming up.
10:45 PM BST
This is brilliant to watch
But in the ‘watch through your fingers’ sense…
As I type that Rory then blocks his drive at the 14 into the trees…the on place he could not go.
10:40 PM BST
YES. HE. CAN!
The heat is very much on now. Rose sinks his birdie putt and it’s all square at the top 11 under.
Who saw that coming 15 minutes ago? If you have your hands up then you’re either lying or Nostradamus.
Justin Rose is tied for the lead. #themasterspic.twitter.com/KPvDGTDU5H
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
10:38 PM BST
A seven for Rory at 13
Wow…
His second double of the day and it’s come after the perfect lay up. He’s back to 11 under.
Can Rose capitalise?
Find out in the next post…
10:37 PM BST
This is Rory vs Rose
Rose makes his birdie put on 16 and Rory, who has dropped and got his fifth to within eight feet, then they are all square at 11 under….
10:36 PM BST
‘It was such an easy shot’
Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley on Sky commentary says. It was from 89 yards…
10:34 PM BST
Oh dear…
Rory has duffed his chip into Rae’s Creek with his approach to 13. That was an astonishing mistake. That was the only place to avoid and he found it, any other place on on near the green would have been fine…wow.
OK, this is definitely not over, not least with Rose having a good look at birdie up on 16…
10:31 PM BST
While Rory lays up at 13…
…Rose fires his tee shot to the par-three 16th to five feet. It’s not the traditional Sunday pin, it’s at the back right shelf and that was some shot.
10:30 PM BST
This isn’t over
Rose has just birdied the par-five 15th after finding the bunker with his approach from 251 yards. He plays a delightful chip from the sand to leave him with a three-footer which he drains to move to 10 under, three back from McIlroy.
Justin Rose birdies No. 15 and moves into solo second. #themasterspic.twitter.com/ZvgMLGwAtY
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
10:26 PM BST
Both tee shots find the fairway at the par-five 13th
Rory took a three-wood, sensible.
10:25 PM BST
Six holes from the elusive Green Jacket?
10:24 PM BST
Par for Rory at 12
It’s a regulation two-putt to stay at 13 under. Meanwhile, if DeChambeau’s race wasn’t definitely run at the 11th is is now. He cannot get up and down from the back bunker and a bogey leaves him way back at six under.
10:19 PM BST
Jack Nicklaus always says…
…ignore the pin at 12 and fly the ball over the front bunker.
That’s what Rory does, taking Rae’s Creek out of play. DeChambeau’s mind might be scrambled as he sends his tee shot to the back bunker.
10:14 PM BST
Rory back to 13 under
A poor chip shot left him with an eight footer he was unable to sink.
DeChambeau ends up with a double bogey six. He has a tiddler for a five but a horrible putt means he’s now six back of McIlroy.
On to the 12th – the most famous par-three in golf (apologies to the Postage Stamp and 17th at Sawgrass).
10:12 PM BST
Rose drops back to nine under
After a bogey at the 14th. The damage was done with the drive that found the right trees. He’d done all the hard work through Amen Corner but has undone a least a significant part of that with that blemish.
Aberg has also dropped a shot, this one at the 12th. His tee-shot went long and he was unable to get up and down. The Swede is back to eight under.
10:09 PM BST
Coming into this round
DeChambeau had only made greens in regulation 59.3 per cent of the time during the first three rounds. That stat put a lot of pressure on his short game and his poor iron play has cost him today.
10:07 PM BST
Rory did have a shot at the 11th
But he has to thread it between two pines. He hooks it (deliberately) and it looks initially good before moving ominously towards the water…can it stay dry? Yes, it can. But only just…that was a heart-in-mouth moment and perhaps, just perhaps, this is his day.
DeChambeau’s race is run. And once again it’s a hooked iron that proves his undoing. He hasn’t been at it with his approach play and from the middle of the fairway he hooks it into the water to the left of the green.
10:02 PM BST
Rory’s drive finds the trees on the right
Not sure he has a shot in there. DeChambeau booms his tee shot down the fairway.
09:57 PM BST
Rose is only sort of ‘right back in this’ as…
…Rory has birdied the 10th to move to 14 under.
This is seriously brilliant golf – a round and tournament to savour…I am not worried I am jinxing it. This is Rory’s to lose and I don’t think he will.
DeChambeau can only walk off with a two-putt par and is now five back.
Rory McIlroy starts his second nine with a birdie. #themasterspic.twitter.com/4uao6JhRjg
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
09:54 PM BST
Rosey had his Weetabix this morning
His birdied the 13th, just missing an eagle by millimetres, to go to 10 under and and into sole second. He’s birdied all of Amen Corner, so if he didn’t have his Weetabix I reckon he may well have prayed last night. To quote Basil Fawlty and ‘state the bleedin’ obvious’ the Englishman is right back in this.
09:52 PM BST
No repeat of 2011 at the 10th
Yep, I reckon it’s OK to talk about that Masters meltdown. Rory’s drive at the 10th is a 310 monster. It finds the fairway and leaves him 189 yards to the pin. He drops his club on the follow through with the approach but he need not worry as the ball ends up 15 feet below the hole.
DeChambeau is also on the green in two, his eight-iron finding the lower part of the green.
09:45 PM BST
Rory has a four-shot lead heading into the back nine at Augusta
Not ashamed to admit it, but I had goosebumps writing that…I don’t want to jinx it, so I will only whisper this ‘it’s happening, isn’t it? Is Rory only nine holes from golfing immortality?’
McIlroy makes birdie on No. 9 to extend his lead. #themasterspic.twitter.com/EvytUu5Q2i
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
09:42 PM BST
Rory now has a four-shot lead
Thanks to birdie at the ninth. His 352-yard drive leaves him with 82 in and the approach, a flicked wedge is pin high. He makes no mistake with the putt and he’s at 13 under.
DeChambeau plays the hole in much the ssame way (booming drive, baby wedge) but he two putts (missing the birdie attempt on the low side) to stay at nine under.
09:40 PM BST
Nearly another ‘shot heard around the world’
As Hovland nearly registers an albatross at the par-five 15th – the same hole Gene Sarazen holed his second on in 1935.
This round has everything…
Hovland is at level-par…
09:38 PM BST
Yet more reason to write…
… ‘Atta boy, Rosey!’
The former US Open champion has backed up the birdie at 11 with another at the famous par-three 12th. His tee shot went over the front bunker, the line Jack Nicklaus says you always should go for, before draining the 20-foot putt. He’s now at nine under just three shots back.
Also joining him and DeChambeau on that number is Aberg who has birdied the 10th.
This is heating up nicely…
Justin Rose is back in the thick of it. #themasterspic.twitter.com/wrYxjxWO3F
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
09:31 PM BST
As Butch would say…
… ‘Atta boy, Rosey!’
That’s because he’s only just gone and birdied the scary, might cause you to wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat 11th. The Englishman is now at eight under, ready to pounce should the leading do a Devon Loch.
09:29 PM BST
Two pars for the final pair
Both have failed to register a birdie and the second and eighth – wonder what odds you would have got on that before the round?
Rory’s lead stays at three.
McIlroy – 12 under
DeChambeau – nine under
09:26 PM BST
Conners is back to eight under
Thanks to birdies at seven and eight and the Canadian is far from out of the conversation.
09:24 PM BST
DeChambeau’s iron play has been poor
And once again he illustrates that his distance control is all over the place. He has 108 to the pin at eight and he goes well long to the back of the green. The one thing you have to do at Augusta is hit your distances, get in the wrong spot of these undulating, slopey greens and three putts are never far away.
Rory’s approach from 153 yard is below the hole, leaving him with a 20 footer for birdie.
09:21 PM BST
Yesterday Rory caught the lip out of this bunker
Not today – phew. He lays up and will have an up and down from 153 yard for birdie. DeChambeau out of the same sand trap also lays up and will have 108 yards left to the pin.
09:15 PM BST
Deja Vu for Rory
As he finds the right fairway bunker off the tee at the par-five eighth. He’s been wayward off the tee today…sort that out and the Green Jacket should be his…
DeChambeau clearly fancies a bit of ‘sociable golf’ as he spanks his drive into the same trap. The American hasn’t, since the first hole, been able to capitalise on McIlroy’s errors.
09:11 PM BST
Rory and DeChambeau par the seventh
Rory left his birdie putt short but can laugh it off – good sign.
DeChambeau’s approach from the middle of the fairway inexplicably found the front bunker. But the American displays an exquisite touch to get up and down to stay at nine under.
09:07 PM BST
WHAT. A. SHOT!
Rory’s drive finds the right trees. Chip out? Hit it low to the front of the green and then execute an up and down? Nope. He plays the shot of the day (possibly tournament) taking on a tiny gap in the canopy of the pines hitting the iron with the force of a driver landing the approach pin high before it travels on a further 15 feet.
Dare I say it, but that was Tiger-esque.
Quite the escape for Rory McIlroy on No. 7. #themasterspic.twitter.com/mrgTPX3uX9
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
09:03 PM BST
Great par save for Rose at the ninth
His drive found the trees and his approach the high side of the green leaving him with a treacherous downhill two-putt for par. It proves no problem for the Englishman who stays at seven under.
08:59 PM BST
Remember the world No.1?
He’s called Scottie Scheffler (I jest, of course you remember him) and he’s not exactly out of it having birdied the fifth, the seventh and the eighth. The defending champion hasn’t been at the races (for him at least) this week but he’s now at seven under and lurking with intent.
08:56 PM BST
Two pars for Rory and DeChambeau
McIlroy’s tee shot is just off the back of the green, on the fringe but he two putts to stay at 12 under. The American’s birdie putt has a think about going underground but stays in view.
Rory still with the three-shot lead.
08:51 PM BST
Anyone else feel like this?
Every single shot feels like the most consequential moment of the last five years. Can’t remember feeling like that this early on a final day.
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) April 13, 2025
08:49 PM BST
Aberg is on the move
The Swede is quietly going about his business and is now at eight under thanks to birdie at the par-three sixth. His tee shot left him with an 18-footer and he sent the ball into the back of the cup.
He then has a good look at birdie on seven after a brilliant approach left him with an eight-foot uphill putt. Alas, he was unable to sink that. He’s four off Rory’s lead.
08:46 PM BST
Rory makes par at the fifth
As does DeChambeau whose birdie putt went four feet by the hole. But he avoided the ignominy of a third three-putt in a row to stay at nine under.
McIlroy’s lead remains three.
08:42 PM BST
Rose is building up a head of steam
The Englishman has birdied seventh and his second to the par-five eighth is on in two. Decent chance of an eagle coming up for the former US Open champion.
08:41 PM BST
Rory’s approach to the fifth does not find the green
But it’s still a great shot. His drive found the trees to the right, but rather than chip out sideways he takes on the branches and foliage hitting the ball penthouse-high getting the ball to just off the dancefloor on the left.
DeChambeau’s drive finds the fairway and approach finds the green and he’ll have a good look at birdie.
08:31 PM BST
YES. HE. CAN!
From the moment it left the flat stick the ball never even flirted with staying overground. He’s back to 12 under and his lead is now up to three.
Breathe in, breathe out…this is great stuff and from the depth of despair at the first to ‘he’s going to do this’ once again. I said there were going to be fireworks.
Rory McIlroy birdies No. 4 and now has a three-shot lead. #themasterspic.twitter.com/7VIiT5yX9b
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
08:29 PM BST
Back-to-back bogeys for DeChambeau
He cannot sink the second putt at the fourth and drops back to nine under.
Can Rory compound his pain with a birdie?
Find out in the next post…
08:26 PM BST
Treacherous putt for DeChambeau
Wow. It’s a huge breaking left-righter from just off the green. Initially it looks as though he’s got it all wrong, too far left and too long. But it break a lot in the last 10 feet and he’ll have a look at par. Still much work to do though.
08:22 PM BST
Advantage Rory at the par-four fourth
His tee shot leaves him with a 10 footer for birdie. DeChambeau pulls his tee shot back left. Yesterday, the American’s iron play was pretty poor, all his misses, as with the one we’ve juest seen were pulled left…
08:21 PM BST
Buckle up
Already this is nervy/exciting/engrossing/nail biting (delete as you deem fit…).
08:19 PM BST
DeChambeau bogeys the third
His second putt misses on the high side and he’s back to 10 under.
Rory is now sole leader.
Three holes in and it’s already the dictionary definition of topsy turvey
Here’s Rory up and down…
Rory McIlroy birdies No. 3 and is once again 11 under par. #themasterspic.twitter.com/xx9Q0IUH1P
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
08:16 PM BST
Rory back to 11 under!
He hits his left-right breaking putt with a perfect weight. Just what he needed.
What made it better was Butch Harmon saying on commentary: ‘Take that Deeee Cham Bo’
08:15 PM BST
GOOD NEWS
Rory hase just played a brilliant chip at the third to give himself a good chance to get back to 11 under. He got the Big Dog out at the short part four, driving to just short of the green. DeChambeau meanwhile left himself 112 yard in. Both looking for birdies now. The American will go first – he has a 20-foot putt, it’s downhill and he hits it a good few feet past the cup.
08:11 PM BST
Aberg is lurking with intent
The Swede has just missed a sox-footer to move to eight under at the fourth. He stays at seven under.
08:05 PM BST
DeChambeau takes the lead
He drains the tricky downhill putt to move to 11 under. He’s been brilliant on and around the greens and from two back he’s now one up after two holes.
DeChambeau – 11 under
McIlroy – 10 under
Aberg – 7 under
Conners – 7 under
Rose – 7 under
08:02 PM BST
DeChambeau then underhits his first putt
As in the sort of poorly hit putt you’d see at your local municipal course. He’ll have eight foot for birdie.
Rory, meanwhile, two putts for par. to stay at 10 under.
07:58 PM BST
Rory on in three at the second
But it looks fat and a birdie from all of 30 feet is unlikely now…I hate writing this, but it has been a poor start for McIlroy.
07:55 PM BST
Rory lays up with his second at the par-five second
While DeChambeau hits a big seven iron 222 yards to the left-centre of the green. A two-putt to go to 11 under.
07:51 PM BST
Rose is back to six under
That’s after a bogey at the par-three fourth.
07:49 PM BST
Ouch
Rory, having found the bunker at the first, finds the sand again on the second with his drive. Both tee shots were about two feet from being perfect but life is full of what ifs…
07:47 PM BST
Horror start for Rory
It gives me no pleasure to let you know that McIlroy has opened up with a double bogey. He took an age to take the initial putt, looking for the exact break. It didn’t help him as he runs it a good six-feet past, before missing the one back.
DeChambeau then drains his par putt and they are now all level at 10 under.
McIlroy – 10 under
DeChambeau – 10 under
Anyone else feeling deflated already?
07:41 PM BST
Rory’s third flies over the pin
And just stops before trickling over the back. He’ll have a 10-footer, perhaps more, for par.
DeChambeau’s third doesn’t release as much as he’d have hoped. He’ll have an eight-footer, uphill, for par.
07:39 PM BST
Rose is two under for the round
Through three holes. He’s added to the birdie at the first with another at the third and he’s back to seven under. Back in contention? Yep, I reckon.
07:38 PM BST
Rory’s approach…
Hits the lip of the bunker and he’ll have a tough up and down to save par at the first. It looks as though he is grimacing as he leaves the sandy trap. Not to do with an injury just that this isn’t the start he would have been wanting.
07:37 PM BST
DeChambeau
He’s deep(ish) in the trees to the right and decides to chop it out to the front right of the green. Sensible, considering his scrambling stats this week.
07:35 PM BST
The chasing pack
Opening pars for Scottie Scheffler and Shane Lowry. They remain at five under.
Conners, however, has just bogeyed the first. His drive looked perfect as did his approach. BUT the Canadian contrives to three-putt from 25 feet. Ouch. He drops back to seven under, joined there by Aberg who has birdied the first.
07:32 PM BST
Off they go
Rory goes first and his drive finds the right-hand fairway bunker. The last time McIlroy was in the final pairing at Augusta, in 2018, he found the same bunker and it went downhill from there – hope that’s not an omen…
Meanwhile, DeChambeau takes a three wood and finds the trees on the left.
Not a great start for either man…
07:27 PM BST
Conners finds centre of the green
While Reed hits a flyer that goes over the back.
Rory and DeChambeau teeing off in a moment.
07:24 PM BST
Rory and DeChambeau are walking to the first tee
I am nervous, God knows what Rory is feeling like.
Meanwhile, actually on the first tee is Corey Conners. He is four shots off the lead and cannot be ruled out. His drive bisects the fairway. He is playing alongside Patrick Reed, the former champion finds the first cut on the left.
07:15 PM BST
DeeeeeeChambo
That’s how Butch Harmon pronounces DeChambeau, and I like it…
Anyway, the likeable coach emphasises that the American’s ball-striking hasn’t been that great this week, it’s been his scrambling (he’s top of the stats this week) that’s got him into today’s final pairing.
‘It’s Rory’s to lose’ Butch says.
07:09 PM BST
I hope Rory isn’t watching this Sky Sports intro
(He won’t be…) because if he wasn’t nervous before he would be now. Faldo, Dougherty and Harmon are saying things such as ‘if he wins it could be the greatest moment in European golf’ etc. Not underplaying the significance of what’s coming up. Gulp.
Faldo then says that if he plays tee to green as he has done this week then he should win.
Butch says 70 wins it for Rory.
07:05 PM BST
Rosey
(That’s what Butch Harmon calls him and I might do for the rest of this blog…) has birdied the first to move to six under. He hit his approach to six feet and drains the putt. He struggled on the greens yesterday but that is a good start.
07:04 PM BST
It’s time to be sickly sweet
Yep, Sky are doing that overly mawkish nonsense where they, and every other broadcaster covering this tournament, try and elevate the Masters to some utopian plain beyond anything else on Planet Earth. I love the Masters but, ultimately, it is just a golf event.
Anyway, dollops of sentimentality have been served. Now it’s time for the real action.
06:55 PM BST
So what’s Rory been reading?
The opening page of the Reckoning, which is the book Rory is reading this week.
Presented without commentary. pic.twitter.com/g02lHTLcB7
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) April 13, 2025
06:53 PM BST
Justin Rose is off to a good start
In that he’s found the fairway with his opening drive. He had a horrible day yesterday, his lead quickly became a two-shot deficit without him doing anything wrong (down to Rory’s record-breaking start) and then the wheels fell off. He shot three over to come into today’s final round on five under. He’s not out of it but needs probably an eight under to have even the merest hint of hope.
06:51 PM BST
Morikawa birdies the second
To move to four under. The two-time Major winner had 250 yards in for his second shot, it looked as though he shortsided himself to the right of the bunker. But a brilliant up and down sees him move in the right direction. Many fancied him to add to his wardrobe this week, but surely he’s far too back to grab the Green Jacket?
06:39 PM BST
Matsuyama is illustrating there is a low score out there today
Granted, the Green Jacket isn’t on the line but the 2021 champion is on the 18th tee on three under, seven under for the round. He’s fired seven birdies and once again we see course knowledge is key around Augusta.
06:36 PM BST
Two things to take away from that Rory interview
(i) He does seem calm and focussed. Not even a hint of butterflies, anxiety etc etc.
(ii) He called football ‘soccer’…yuck…
06:34 PM BST
Rory McIlroy speaks to Sky Sports – ‘I just want to control the moment in front of me’
On what he’s done this morning to keep calm…
“Fortunately, Sunday is good day for sport, so I watched Carlos Alcaraz play tennis in Monte Carlo, a bit of soccer, and some F1.”
On what’s he’s done since…
“At the golf course it’s easier to settle down and get into your routine, it’s comforting. I’ve been through the strategy for the day, same as the past three days.”
On yesterday’s six-threes start and what to expect today…
“I am not expecting to get off to that start again! But [the aim is to] hit first fairway and first green and go from there. Control the moment in front of me…if I control those moments I will be in a good spot.”
06:29 PM BST
DeChambeau speaks to Sky Sports – ‘I am excited’
Last night the American was the last man standing on the range hitting his irons between the 150-200-yard mark. Asked what he was trying to achieve he said…
“More comfortable form position, that’s what you got to do to get your golf ball around here.”
On today’s round…
“I am just excited for the opportunity, it will be a lot of fun today, I am excited for the battle.”
06:21 PM BST
And the reason for the pin change on 16
A historic hole location on No. 16. #themasterspic.twitter.com/K4324Fx4yC
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
06:20 PM BST
The pin positions
All look fairly familiar bar the one at 16. Usually the Sunday pin is in the bowl back left. But this year they’ve put it back right on the shelf – a much hard pin to go for. Will it play a part in deciding who wins today?
Hole locations for the final round. #themasterspic.twitter.com/99Xeszmh9H
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
06:18 PM BST
Rory is strolling around the ‘real estate’ as the Americans say
I am no kinesics expert (expert in body language, as if you needed to be told…) but he looks cool, calm and collected.
06:13 PM BST
Anyone worried that Rory may mentally crumble a la 2011
I hope this lovely interview Sky Sports had with mental guru Dr Bob Rotella should put your mind at rest.
Basically, if you are worried, then don’t be…
“He’s worked on his wedge game, he’s worked on his mind” 💬
Dr Bob Rotella, Rory McIlroy’s sports psychologist, provides insight on working to build a winning mentality 🧠 pic.twitter.com/UBZ5ix0fSN
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 13, 2025
05:58 PM BST
Matsuyama is five under for the day
The 2021 champion shot a 79 yesterday to end all hopes of a second Green Jacket. But he knows his way around this course and is illustrating that well right now, he’s five under for the day, one under for the tournament, a blemish-free stroll through 13 holes.
One thing that should stand Rory in better stead than DeChambeau is the fact he does know Augusta better than the American. That could be worth a shot today.
05:52 PM BST
Tee times coming up
- 6:10 – Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland
- 6:20 – Sungjae Im, Max Homa
- 6:40 – Nicolas Echavarria, Xander Schauffele
- 6:50 – Justin Rose, Zach Johnson
- 7:00 – Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry
- 7:10 – Ludvig Aberg, Jason Day
- 7:20 – Corey Conners, Patrick Reed
- 7:30 – Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau
05:45 PM BST
Still no pars on Fleetwood’s card
He’s followed up his opening two birdies and two bogeys with a birdie at the devilishly tricky fifth. Rollercoaster. He is back to level par for the tournament.
05:41 PM BST
Anyone else nervous?
Thanks Kieran, I will be taking hold of the steering wheel and driving the Masters-themed golf buggy right through to the close.
So what can we expect over the next six or so hours? I will be shocked if some of the following events do not take place…
- McIlroy to give us all at least some slight heart palpitations.
- DeChambeau to thump his chest at least once.
- McIlroy to follow up an eagle with a bogey.
- DeChambeau to follow up a monster drive with a wayward iron.
- Someone from the close pack to challenge.
- The commentators, especially Nick Dougherty (a brilliant broadcaster, I hasten to add), to constantly remind us what a ‘special’ event the Masters is.
- Nick Faldo to talk at least four or five times about his Masters victories (he’s been quite restrained on that front so far, to be fair).
- What promises to be a final Sunday for the ages to go down the last hole.
05:25 PM BST
Bogey for Fleetwood
Birdie, birdie, bogey, bogey is how the final round has started for Tommy. He started at one over and is now back to one over.
That is all from me and I will leave you in the very capable hands of Greg Wilcox, who will take you through the rest of this final round from Augusta National. Who will be wearing a Green Jacket by the end of today? Rory? Bryson? Somebody else? Make sure you stay with us.
05:21 PM BST
Rahm gets going
The 2023 Masters champion is just starting his final round, alongside Chilean Joaquin Niemann, and will begin at even par. He launches his drive down the fairway and he is off and running.
Up ahead on the third Daniel Berger has made two birdies in his first three holes to move from one over to one under.
05:11 PM BST
Tommy’s early momentum halted
It had been the perfect start for Fleetwood, securing birdies on the first and second. However a bogey on the par-four third has dropped him back to even par.
05:03 PM BST
Campbell flying
What a round the American is having. He started the day but, courtesy of three straight birdies on 10, 11 and 12, he is now at even par.
05:02 PM BST
Sir Nick Faldo on Sky Sports
“It’s better than history! He’s joining five other guys – what an incredible achievement it could be” ⛳️
Sir Nick Faldo assesses Rory McIlroy’s chances of winning the career grand slam today 🏆 pic.twitter.com/KFqXV93iKn
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 13, 2025
04:58 PM BST
Birdie for Tommy
Fleetwood has made a great start to his final round. He made a birdie on the first and a birdie on the par-five second takes him to one under. He is unlikely though to challenge his best finish at The Masters, which came last year when he finished in a tie for third.
04:55 PM BST
Birdie for Theegala
A positive start for the 27-year-old American as he birdies the first. His tee shot is not the best, missing the fairway to the left, but his second is sublime, leaving him just 10 feet for birdie, which he takes. Theegala is yet to win a major and his best finish at The Masters came in 2023 when he finished ninth. He joins the likes of Fleetwood and Matsuyama at even par.
Up at 11 Campbell’s great round continues as he makes back-to-back birdies at 10 and 11. He has improved from five over at the start to one over now.
04:49 PM BST
Matsuyama on a roll
The 2021 Masters champion is flying. He has made it back-to-back birdies on eight and nine and hits the turn at even par, having started the day at +4.
Just ahead of him Campbell has also made birdie and he has improved today from five over to +2.
04:43 PM BST
First man off making some ground
American Campbell got this final round going around two hours ago and his round is ticking along nicely. He began the day on five over but a birdie on the par-four tenth has taken him to two over.
04:35 PM BST
Good start for Fleetwood
Birdie for Tommy on the first hole. His drive finds the fairway and his second is sublime, ending up inside 10 feet of the hole. He nails the birdie putt and improves to even par.
04:34 PM BST
Matsuyama on a roll
There has not been a flurry of birdies so far today but one man who is ticking along nicely is Matsuyama, who has birdied the par-five eighth to move to one over.
Back on the first…
04:25 PM BST
Tommy gets going
Fleetwood is under way on this final round, starting the day at one over. He is playing today alongside 28-year-old American Davis Riley.
Up ahead Harman (+4) and Lee (+6) have made bogeys at the fifth and sixth respectively.
04:18 PM BST
Par start for Fitzpatrick
Not the smoothest of starts for Matt as his drive misses the fairway to the left and his second misses the green to the right. His slightly wayward tee shot gave him an awkward second shot but he gets up and down for the par. He remains at two over.
There has not been a flurry of birdies out there but as I speak Campbell, who teed off first, has made back-to-back birdies at seven and eight to improve to three over.
04:15 PM BST
When the leaders get going
Here are those all important tee times for those at the top of the leaderboard:
6:50 p.m. – Justin Rose, Zach Johnson
7:00 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry
7:10 p.m. – Ludvig Aberg, Jason Day
7:20 p.m. – Corey Conners, Patrick Reed
7:30 p.m. – Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau
04:06 PM BST
Matsuyama birdies the sixth
The Japanese former champion began the day at four over in the second group out but courtesy of his birdie at the par-three sixth he is now up to two over.
04:01 PM BST
Fitzpatrick gets started
The Yorkshireman’s wait for a first major title goes on as he gets his final round going and he is playing alongside 36-year-old Canadian Nick Taylor.
Up ahead on the third Clark’s early momentum has been halted by a bogey on the third, which has seen him drop back to two over.
2016 Masters champion Willett meanwhile has taken advantage of the par-five second with a birdie, which takes him to two over.
03:56 PM BST
Compounding errors
After a bogey on the third, Thomas makes another error on the fourth leading to a bogey. His tee shot lands in the bunker and he cannot get up and down for par so he has to settle for another bogey. His bunker shot was pretty decent but he cannot sink the putt so drops to six over.
Lee has also made a bogey on the fourth so he is now at five over.
03:49 PM BST
Clark goes back-to-back
A great start for the American, who has begun his final round with consecutive birdies and is now up to one over.
03:47 PM BST
Bogeys on the third
Both Thomas and Lee have fallen foul, dropping to five and four over respectively. But back at the second…
03:39 PM BST
Birdie for Harman
The 38-year-old left-handed American, who was victorious at The 2023 Open Championship, has birdied the par-five second to improve to two over.
03:33 PM BST
Clark birdies the first
The 2023 US Open champion has made birdie on the opening hole, helped out by a sublime second shot to within ten feet of the hole. He is now two over.
03:31 PM BST
On the first
2016 Masters champion Danny Willett is getting his final round started. He begins the day at three over and is playing today alongside J.T. Poston.
Up at the par-five second Lee has made birdie to move to three over. One hole ahead of Lee Matsuyama has birdied the par-four third.
Two birdies there but two bogeys for Campbell and Bhatia, who drop to five and seven over respectively.
03:26 PM BST
Lowry ends interview after being asked about McIlroy’s Masters performance
Shane Lowry snapped at a reporter who asked him about Rory McIlroy’s Masters brilliance before ending the interview early, saying otherwise he would say “something stupid”.
After bogeying his final two holes on Saturday evening, the Irishman was fuming with himself as he stepped on to the interview podium at Augusta.
Having played in front of McIlroy all day, Lowry lost his rag when a reporter asked “did you find yourself looking back at all at Rory”?
“No,” said the 2019 Open champion. “I’m not going to stand there and talk about Rory for 10 minutes. I’m trying to win the tournament as well. I know that’s what you all want me to talk about, but I’ve just had a s— finish.”
For the full story, click here.
03:17 PM BST
Iconic moment
50 years ago, a 35-year-old Jack Nicklaus captured his fifth Green Jacket. The thrilling finish in 1975 included Nicklaus’ 40-foot birdie putt on No. 16. The birdie gave him a one-shot lead that he held to the finish. #themasterspic.twitter.com/FTD5IFOfwC
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
03:12 PM BST
First birdie of the day!
Goes to Brian Campbell on the par-five second. He came up just shy of the green in two and a decent chip on presents him the chance to make a birdie, which he takes, to move to four under.
03:10 PM BST
“Write Rahm off as a golfing heavyweight at your peril”
The 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm gets his final round going at 5.20pm BST alongside Joaquin Niemann. Rahm will start his final round at even par after a two-under round of 70 yesterday. James Corrigan has had his say on the Spaniard.
03:05 PM BST
Bad start for Bhatia
The 23-year-old American does not make the ideal start to his final round. He goes from one bunker to another and ends up with a bogey on the first dropping him to six over. His playing partner Hideki Matsuyama makes par and stays at four over.
Behind Justin Thomas and Min-Woo Lee tee off.
03:02 PM BST
Butch Harmon on Sky Sports
🎙️ “This is a huge day for him”
Butch Harmon previews the final day of this year’s Masters as Rory McIlroy looks to win his first one. pic.twitter.com/hJViHDSTVn
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 13, 2025
02:57 PM BST
Par to start
Campbell’s tee shot comes up short of the bunkers on the right-hand side of the fairway, which will leave him 192 yards to the pin. His second finds the bunker on the left-hand side of the green. He does manage to get up and down for a par.
Back on tee 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and Akshay Bhatia are just getting going.
02:51 PM BST
16th pin position
A historic hole location on No. 16. #themasterspic.twitter.com/K4324Fx4yC
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
02:46 PM BST
Tee times over the next hour or so
2:50 p.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Akshay Bhatia
3:00 p.m. – Justin Thomas, Min Woo Lee
3:10 p.m. – Brian Harman, J.J. Spaun
3:20 p.m.– Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark
3:30 p.m. – Danny Willett, J. T. Poston
3:40 p.m. – Sam Burns, Stephan Jaeger
4:00 p.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Nick Taylor
02:41 PM BST
Off we go!
The final round is just getting started as Brian Campbell is on the tee at the first hole. The 32-year-old American from Orange County, California, has won once on the PGA Tour at the Mexico Open in February this year. This is his first appearance at The Masters and he begins his final round at five over.
02:35 PM BST
Beautiful day for golf!
Sunday’s weather bulletin from Augusta National. #themasterspic.twitter.com/Ib3KYBgNzY
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
02:31 PM BST
“The only thing that can stop McIlroy now is his own mind”
When Rory McIlroy holed a devilish chip for eagle at the second, igniting a sequence of six threes unparalleled in the history of the Masters, the usual decorum of an Augusta crowd evaporated. Everywhere you looked, there were corporate bros hugging each other, high-fiving, dashing to the nearest concession stand for refills of their six-dollars-a-pint Crow’s Nest lager. It was an atmosphere more befitting a Ryder Cup than the loftiest stage in sport. Such is the effect of watching golf’s purest talent in full free-wheeling mode, fuelled by nothing but adrenalin and the knowledge that he can produce feats of which others merely dream.
The gasps were audible, both in the galleries following McIlroy and in those watching the manual scoreboards updated elsewhere. 3-3-3-3-3-3: the start to his third round was without precedent in the tournament’s 91 years. So much for the theory about McIlroy feeling inhibited around this course, or disinclined to play his natural game for fear of failure. This was a day when he released the handbrake in spectacular style, staying true to his commitment to let the score come to him. A wise move, all told, given that his card belonged to the realm of fancy.
For more from our chief sports writer Oliver Brown from Augusta National, click here.
02:26 PM BST
European watch
With a Ryder Cup on the horizon later this year at Bethpage, New York, there is a lot of attention on potential Ryder Cup players. Here is how some of the leading Europeans are faring going into the final round:
-12: Rory McIlroy
-6: Ludvig Aberg
-5: Shane Lowry, Justin Rose
-3: Viktor Hovland
-2: Tyrrell Hatton
02:20 PM BST
Rich Beem on Sky Sports
“It is Rory’s time. He has learnt so much about himself and it is going to be his stage. He is more prepared to win by far than the 10 previous attempts [at the Grand Slam] and I think he will get it done. But he is going to be taken to task all day by Bryson.
“I think it is a big plus for Bryson, for sure. He will know it and Rory will know it in the back of his mind. I think Rory will have a healthy conversation with his psychologist about it.
“Hopefully we see a fight to the bitter end and the toughest gladiator wins but I know Bryson will have the edge on the first tee with the little mind games.”
02:14 PM BST
Rory McIlroy’s 54-hole leads in majors
2011 US Open: led by eight and won
2014 Open: led by six and won
2011 Masters: led by four and finished in T15
2012 PGA: led by three and won
2014 PGA: led by one and won
02:09 PM BST
Winners of the career Grand Slam
Gene Sarazen- achieved in 1935 at The Masters
Ben Hogan- achieved in 1953 at The Open
Gary Player- achieved in 1965 at US Open
Jack Nicklaus- achieved in 1966 at The Open
Tiger Woods- achieved in 2000 at The Open
02:04 PM BST
Rory McIlroy’s finishes at The Masters since he has had chance to secure the career grand slam
2015- 4th
2016- T10
2017- T7
2018- T5
2019- T21
2020- T5
2021- Missed cut
2022- 2nd
2023- Missed cut
2024- T22
02:00 PM BST
Iconic
Tiger and Rory on the 15th at Augusta 🤩🤝 pic.twitter.com/DpC91bdm04
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) April 13, 2025
01:55 PM BST
All-important pin positions
Hole locations for the final round. #themasterspic.twitter.com/99Xeszmh9H
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
01:49 PM BST
Words of wisdom
The opening page of the Reckoning, which is the book Rory is reading this week.
Presented without commentary. pic.twitter.com/g02lHTLcB7
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) April 13, 2025
01:43 PM BST
When the leaders head out for final round
6:10 p.m. – Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland
6:20 p.m. – Sungjae Im, Max Homa
6:40 p.m. – Nicolas Echavarria, Xander Schauffele
6:50 p.m. – Justin Rose, Zach Johnson
7:00 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry
7:10 p.m. – Ludvig Aberg, Jason Day
7:20 p.m. – Corey Conners, Patrick Reed
7:30 p.m. – Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau
01:35 PM BST
Early tee times
All times BST
2:40 p.m. – Brian Campbell
2:50 p.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Akshay Bhatia
3:00 p.m. – Justin Thomas, Min Woo Lee
3:10 p.m. – Brian Harman, J.J. Spaun
3:20 p.m.– Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark
3:30 p.m. – Danny Willett, J. T. Poston
3:40 p.m. – Sam Burns, Stephan Jaeger
4:00 p.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Nick Taylor
01:30 PM BST
Battle for the Green Jacket
Good afternoon and welcome to coverage of the final round from The 2025 Masters. Rory McIlroy holds a two-shot lead going into the final round after a second stunning round of 66 yesterday in the third round. The Northern Irishman has had to wait over ten years for a major since claiming The PGA Championship at Valhalla back in 2014 and could seal the career Grand Slam with victory today. He would become just the sixth man to ever achieve that feat after Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. There have been so many near misses over the last decade but the Northern Irishman has put himself in a great position to end the major drought and claim the career Grand Slam. Speaking after his third round, McIlroy talked through his second consecutive round of 66 and his excitement for the final round.
“It was a dream start,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “I had a bit of a wobble around the middle of the round, I should have converted the birdie on nine, but I think I steadied myself on 11 and 12. To play those even par was important.
“I was trying to take advantage of the par fives and then the shot of the day for me on 15 and being able to convert that. A great Saturday and I am excited for tomorrow [today]. I will not shy away from it. Situations like tomorrow [today] are the reason I get up, work hard and try to do the right things. If I did not want this moment I would not be doing those things. These are the pairings I want to be in and I am excited for that.”
Back in 2011, a 21-year-old McIlroy led by four shots going into the final round at Augusta only to fall apart on the back nine. He carded a round of 80 to finish in a tie for 15th place. McIlroy will be joined in the final group by Bryson DeChambeau, who begins the final round two shots back on ten under. DeChambeau looked like he would start the final round three shots back before sinking an incredible 50-foot putt on the last. These two were involved in one hell of a tussle for the US Open at Pinehurst No2 last year, with DeChambeau coming out on top to claim his second major with an incredible bunker shot on the last. McIlroy had led at Pinehurst in the latter stages but a couple of terrible missed putts proved costly. It was a three-under round of 69 for DeChambeau yesterday and, speaking after his round, highlighted the importance of just focusing on the next shot.
“I was not striking my irons well today [Saturday]] so I have got to work on that and if I can get that locked in for tomorrow [Sunday] it is going to be a fun match. Every hole matters, the most important thing is looking forward to the next shot and thinking ‘how can I give myself the best chance?’ [It is about taking it] just one shot at a time – get into every shot and execute to the best of your ability. That is all you can focus on.”
Canada’s Corey Conners starts the final round at eight under with Ludvig Aberg and Patrick Reed in a tie for fourth on six under. Justin Rose, who led for the first two rounds, is one of four players at five under which includes the defending champion Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry and Jason Day.
Can McIlroy complete the career Grand Slam or will someone (most likely DeChambeau) spoil the party? Sit back and enjoy the final round from Augusta National!
Rory McIlroy, Masters champion. Easy to write, hard to believe. Especially after a Sunday when drama rained down from the towering pines and an inspired Justin Rose threatened to ruin the coronation, only eventually submitting in a play-off.
Yet with three iron shots – on the 15th, 17th and on that first extra hole – that rank up there with the very best and bravest in the game’s annals, McIlroy claimed what for so long has been considered his birthright.
More than a decade after he had won his most recent major, the 35-year-old at last chalked up No 5 and so became just the sixth male player in history to complete the career grand slam – and the first European. Yes, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods… you have a new member in your exclusive club.
Historic was one word to describe it. Another was exhausting. Thanks to his mistakes and the extraordinary indefatigability of Rose, the many admirers of McIlroy suffered a final two hours that stretched the credulity of this mad, mad sport to new absurdity.
McIlroy was five clear with eight holes left. And beat the 44-year-old Rose – who made an astonishing 10 birdies in his 65 – in sudden death with a birdie. With Rory, it was never going to be straightforward, was it?
“It feels incredible,” he said. “This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time. The last 10 years coming here with the burden of the grand slam on my shoulder and trying to achieve it… well, I wonder what we’re going to talk about going into next year? I’m absolutely honoured, thrilled and proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion. My dreams have been made today.”
Feel for Rose, because this was his third Masters runner-up placing and his second play-off defeat after being nudged out by Sergio Garcia in 2017. At the very least, this display will convince captain Luke Donald that he warrants a seventh Ryder Cup in September. But the upshot was that the gates of Augusta finally swung open for McIlroy, this Northern Irishman who always kept faith that they would and so, too, did those doors to immortality.
In 2019, Augusta National was in awe when Woods breached his 11-year gap between green jackets. This was McIlroy’s first time in the Butler Cabin. But it had been the same period back to McIlroy’s US PGA win in 2014 and that was appropriate. Because this felt just as big.
DeChambeau drops away
McIlroy went out with a two-shot advantage over Bryson DeChambeau and of course there was needle in the Georgia air. Ten months before, McIlroy was two clear of DeChambeau with five holes remaining in the US Open. There it was. The closure of the barren run.
Except, McIlroy missed a three-footer on the 16th and a four-footer on the 18th and watched in despair as DeChambeau stole the trophy with an all-time up-and-down from a greenside bunker. It was McIlroy’s biggest chance of that lost decade. Although that term should come with an asterix, as in that time, McIlroy won 23 other titles and racked up hundred of millions of dollars in on-course and off-course earnings. Neverthesless he was crestfallen. Payback time.
The early skirmishes were outrageous. In 30 minutes DeChambeau had wrested the lead. McIlroy double-bogeyed the first, after finding the bunker off the tee and then could only par the second. DeChambeau’s birdie on the par five sent gasps throughout the layout. But they soon turned back on him, when McIlroy nervelessly birdied the third and the fourth.
Rory McIlroy birdies No. 4 and now has a three-shot lead. #themasterspic.twitter.com/7VIiT5yX9b
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
For years, Mcilroy has assured us that he is resilient and that the “flakey” reputation was unfair. These four days, he proved it in buckets of his own sweat and toil. He bounced back from those two late double-bogeys in the first round, to shoot a 66. And he rebounded from this early setback by going from the hunted to the hunter and back to the hunted and then disappeared into the sun again.
Well, for DeChambeau anyway. The Californian had an awful spell, double-bogeying the 11th and bogeying the 12th. McIlroy had meanwhile birdied the 10th and at that stage was five clear with eight to play.
Granted, out of the shadows had come Rose, but surely he did not have the holes or the time to launch a challenge? Incredibly, neither were true. McIlroy bogeyed the 11th after actually catching a break – he was a few feet away from finding the water – and then on the 13th made a mental error that was compounded by a technical botch-up.
McIlroy laid up from the middle of the fairway on the par-five. He then hit his third into Rae’s Creek. That was the danger when choosing the supposedly “safe” option. If he had gone for it, as he had every other day, the worst outcome would have been a bogey. Instead, he suffered a double. And when Rose followed up his birdies on the 11th, 12th and 13th, with yet another on the 15th, it was level.
Justin Rose birdies No. 15 and moves into solo second. #themasterspic.twitter.com/ZvgMLGwAtY
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
Back-nine tussle with Rose
Disbelief was soon piled on by more disbelief when the young Swede Ludvig Aberg birdied the 15th to make it a three-way tie. What on earth was going on? In the space of a few peach melbas the procession had turned into a charge for the line. Aberg bogeyed the 17th, however, and it was ultimately between the man from Holywood and the man from Hampshire.
Rose led for the first two rounds but was discounted after a 75 on Saturday. Rose was the 17-year-old who chipped in on the 18th to finish fourth as a skinny amateur at the Open in 1998– so he does not do “can’t”. He was the teenager who immediately joined the paid ranks and missed 22 cuts in a row – so he does not do “I’m done”.
Rose bogeyed the 17th and with McIlroy birdieing the 15th – after a remarkable second from 210 yards to seven feet with a strike that truly deserved an eagle – he was one behind again.
Poised to make eagle. Rory McIlroy goes for glory on No. 15. #themasterspic.twitter.com/hAM0zxnkM7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
But still Rose, tackling the 18th, declined to buckle. He hit his approach to 20 feet and holed the putt. The patrons went all un-Augustalike, leaping into a frenzy. It was all on McIlroy.
He was playing the 17th and after taking a three-wood off the tee, attacked the pin from 200 yards. Again, it was amazing. Hanging in the air and coming to rest within five feet. He backed off. Excruciating. At last he stepped forward again and it dropped and he needed a par at the 18th.
Rory McIlroy hits it to two feet on No. 17. #themasterspic.twitter.com/zY6tdgqZ13
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
The greats were beckoning and he drilled it down the shute into the fairway. Yet McIlroy missed the green and found the sand and could only cajole it to five feet. It was a putt for the Masters. He pulled it. And the agonising wait went on.
Back to the 18th tee. They played the hole magnificently. Rose hitting it to 15 feet. McIlroy to four feet. There had to be a winner. And what a winner. He fell to his knees, in almost convulsion and after hugging caddie Harry Diamond, was in the embrace of Rose.
“I told Rory it was a privilege to be on the green at such an historic moment – when a friend completed the career grand slam,” Rose said. A class act on a classic Masters Sunday.
Rory McIlroy gave everything. #themasterspic.twitter.com/Iv38QeVTbm
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
01:11 AM BST
Admit it, you’re still too pumped to sleep
So why don’t you relive that final round with this blow-by-blow account of one of the greatest days in golfing history.
READ: Rory McIlroy’s roller-coaster ride to Masters glory
12:55 AM BST
Suits you, sir
Rory McIlroy receives his Green Jacket. #themasterspic.twitter.com/0ulQ963w68
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
12:53 AM BST
Here’s a stat
Most double bogeys/worse in a Masters win
2025 Rory McIlroy, 4
1982 Craig Stadler, 3— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 13, 2025
12:50 AM BST
Rory in the Butler Cabin – ‘There was a lot of pent-up emotion that came out on the 18th green’
On finally winning the Masters…
“It feels incredible. I’ve been here 17 times and wondered if ever be my time. The past 10 years I’ve been coming here with the burden of the Grand Slam and trying to achieve that. I just wonder what everyone will talk about ahead of the Masters next year! But I am honoured and thrilled to call myself Masters champion.”
On the final round…
“When I hit the wedge into the creek at 13 I thought I did a good job at bouncing back from that. Also the double at the first. I was really nervous [heading into the round] I think that double calmed my nerves. I am proud of being able to bounce back in the way I did.”
On the play-off…
“I had two yards less in play-off than in regulation. It was a good number and just had a good, committed swing.”
On ending the major drought, winning a Green Jacket and completing the Grand Slam…
“It wasn’t 10 years in the making, it was 14 years in the making from the four-shot lead in 2011. There was a lot of pent-up emotion that came out on the 18th that made all the close calls worth it. I just want to say hello to Mum and Dad who are watching at home in Northern Ireland. I cannot wait to see them next week and celebrate with them.”
12:34 AM BST
How to ruin this moment?
Have an interview in the Butler Cabin.
The winner’s interviews at the Masters are mawkish in the worse possible sense. Sentimentality on speed combined with the feel of scene straight out of a David Lynch film.
12:27 AM BST
A triptych titled: Completing The Career Grand Slam
12:24 AM BST
He’s receiving a lot of high fives and congratulations
As he makes his way to the clubhouse, before he tells everyone: ‘I’m going to go get a Green Jacket.’
He’s been wanting to utter those words for 14 years…From the upsetting emotion of the 2011 Masters meltdown to the happy emotion of today, Rory has been on a rollercoaster.
12:21 AM BST
Here’s the elite club Rory joins
12:21 AM BST
That was emotional, epic, utterly brilliant
And, of course, it was never going to be straightforward. It hasn’t been with Rory since he won 11 years ago at Valhalla.
But, boy, does he deserve that.
An all-time great finally has a very considerable monkey off his back and he cannot quite believe it.
12:18 AM BST
Take a bow Rory McIlroy!
He’s done it! And as soon as the putt drops sinks to the ground in disbelief. He looks emotional and I imagine many of you are as well.
He is the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam.
A long time coming. Congratulations, Rory. #themasterspic.twitter.com/f72nOxQbfw
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
12:17 AM BST
Rose to putt first – can he put Rory under pressure?
No he cannot. It’s a good putt and flirts with dropping but misses on the low side.
Over to you Rory?
Can you make history?
12:11 AM BST
Rory has 128 yards to the pin
And it’s a beauty!
He fires in over the pin, uses the slope to spin it back to the flag and it ends three foot away.
Rose and Rory – both take a bow.
The cinema of the 73rd hole. #themasterspic.twitter.com/wJgncWWhOr
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
12:10 AM BST
Rose to go first
The Englishman has 157 yards to the pin. It looks good in the air and even better on the ground as it ends 10 foot from the pin. He’ll have a fairly flat putt.
Over to you Rory…
12:06 AM BST
Anyone sitting comfortably?
If you are, I am not sure how…
12:05 AM BST
Rose finds the fairway
As does Rory, whose drive is a carbon copy of his drive about 15 minutes ago.
12:03 AM BST
First play-off hole
Is back at 18.
Rose will drive first.
11:59 PM BST
Word on Rose
He lost to Sergio Garcia in a play-off in 2017 (the most recent Masters play-off). If he wins he’s more than a deserving winner – a final-round 66 was remarkable, he fired in 10 birdies.
Rose has to be the favourite.
Anticipating the moment of glory on the 18th, Rory McIlroy’s wife Erica and daughter Poppy had appeared beside the green to congratulate him. He gave them both a kiss as he went past. He looked emotionally exhausted heading to the play-off. The only possible encouragement for McIlroy is that his opponent, Justin Rose, also has his demons to conquer after losing in this fashion to Sergio Garcia in 2017, the last time the Masters went to sudden death.
11:56 PM BST
There is a ‘Tom Watson at Turnberry’ feel about this now
Watson missed a short putt (also on the low side) to win The Open at the age of 59 and was completely gone come the three-hole play-off against Stewart Cink (the man who shot Bambi).
I hope that isn’t the case here and whoever wins the one-hole sudden-death play-off does it with birdie brilliance rather than due to a mini, tiny collapse by their opponent.
11:53 PM BST
Stunned
Only word for it.
It’s now Rory vs Rose.
11:53 PM BST
Oh no…
Rory misses on the low side, and it will go to a sudden-death play-off.
Anyone else feel deflated?
11:51 PM BST
Rory will have a five-foot putt for the career Grand Slam
A great chip out of the bunker, especially under these circumstances, leaves him with a fairly flat putt for the Green Jacket and to put us all out of our tense misery.
Here we go…
11:48 PM BST
Rory is a huge Man Utd fan
So will use a phrase of Sir Alex Ferguson’s…
This is squeaky-bum time
11:47 PM BST
Rory has 125 yards to the pin
And…he continues to put us through the wringer as he hits the approach into the right bunker.
Up and down now for the Green Jacket…
11:42 PM BST
Perfection from Rory on the 18th tee box
No flirting with the trees on the right, no hint of going into the bunkers on the left. The drive bisects the fairway and I am now going to say he’s now on the verge of golfing history and ending the long wait for the Green Jacket without fear of jinxing it.
11:38 PM BST
Yesterday…
…Rory blocked his drive and flirted with the trees.
He just needs to find the fairway.
Still the patrons (got it right this time…hurrah) chant ‘Rory, Rory, Rory, Rory, Rory’
11:37 PM BST
Meanwhile Aberg…
…is having a nightmare on that very same hole. Having dropped a shot at the 17th. The talented Swede triple bogeys the last.
Having had share of the lead 30 minutes ago he ends on six under.
Now, it’s all about Rory.
Anyone else really nervous?
11:35 PM BST
Par at the last wins it for Rory
Banishing 11 years of near misses, of thousands of questions, lots of doubts now rest on McIlroy making a four at the fabled (and tough) 18th…
Gulp…
11:33 PM BST
BIRDIE FOR RORY AT 17
The fans, sorry, patrons (been making that understandable mistake all week…) are chanting ‘Rory, Rory, Rory, Rory’ as he sinks the four-footer to move back to sole lead on 12 under.
11:30 PM BST
Whatever happens this has been insane entertainment
And possibly the greatest Masters ever (huge recently bias there, I admit…)
11:29 PM BST
Rory’s drive finds the right fairway at the 17th
That leaves him 197 yard to the pin. He bullies an eight iron all the way in the air, at least it looks as though he does, prompting Rory to shout ‘GO, GO, GO, GO’ at the ball.
And go it does.
It lands 15 yards short of the pin before running up to about eight foot short of the cup.
Great chance for birdie.
That was yet another brilliant shot under the most tense of circumstances. This is both so nervy and yet so entertaining. Part watch through your fingers, part sit back and lap up the brilliance on display.
11:23 PM BST
Knife edge
One great shot and one great putt wins this for Rory. One poor shot one poor putt loses it.
So tight. So tense. Anyone else have clammy hands?!
11:22 PM BST
Comeback history in the making?
Largest 54-hole comebacks to win Masters:
8 shots, Jack Burke Jr. in 1956
7 shots, Gary Player in 1978Justin Rose was 7 back to begin the day
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 13, 2025
11:20 PM BST
What do the stats gurus say?
Justin Rose is now the statistical favourite to win the Masters. Data Golf gives the veteran Englishman a 57.7 per cent chance of wearing the Green Jacket, with McIlroy a 42.2 per cent chance after failing to birdie the 16th.
Rose’s chances of victory were just 0.6 per cent walking off the 14th.
11:17 PM BST
Rory stays at 11 under
His birdie putt stays at ground level, missing on the high side.
Level at the top on 11 under but Rose is in the clubhouse after a quite brilliant six-under 66…
Buckle up for the next two holes of Rory…
11:15 PM BST
ROSE HOLES BIRDIE PUTT AT 18
He’s done it…wow. He drains the breaking 20-footer to get to 11 under and is the clubhouse leader.
THIS FINAL ROUND HAS EVERYTHING...(sorry, once again, caps lock and bold are both justified…)
Justin Rose sets the Clubhouse lead with a Sunday 66. #themasterspic.twitter.com/YupKW0xHyp
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
11:13 PM BST
Another beauty from Rory
He hits his tee shot at the par-three 16th right to that top shelf, where the pin is, to leave him with a 10-foot putt for birdie.
Boy, does McIlroy send the heart racing for all the right AND wrong reasons…
11:09 PM BST
Rory misses the eagle putt at 15
BUT taps in for birdie. He’s back at 11 under and has a one-shot lead…
11:09 PM BST
Rose’s drive at 18 finds the fairway
His approach then finds the green to leave him a breaking 20-footer for birdie.
11:06 PM BST
WHAT. A. SHOT. RORY!!
The shot of the tournament has just been played. Perhaps the shot of his life. He’s hooks what I think is a five iron from 208 yards to within six feet of the pin at the 15th. Eagle gives him a two-shot lead, birdie a one-shot lead. There was 40-foot of bend in that shot. Ridiculously good…!
Wow. He spanks an 82-yard chip into the water then does that. That was a shot, that, should he win, will be played again and again for the rest of his life. That was Monte Carlo or bust…
Meanwhile, DeChambeau has completely unravelled. His approach to the 15th finds the water.
Poised to make eagle. Rory McIlroy goes for glory on No. 15. #themasterspic.twitter.com/hAM0zxnkM7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
11:01 PM BST
As an aside
And one that, right now, really doesn’t matter…this is looking very good for the Ryder Cup. Three Europeans battling it out for the Green Jacket.
The person smiling a lot right now will be Luke Donald. As for everyone else, nerves…
10:57 PM BST
Three-way tie at the top
This has everything…and is ridiculously tense.
Rose misses a five-footer at the 17th and drops back to 10 under.
This is how the leaderboard now looks (did not see this coming 30 minutes ago).
Rose 10 under
McIlroy 10 under
Aberg 10 under
10:53 PM BST
Rory bogeys 14
His chip left him with a six-footer for par. The putt somehow stays above ground, a gust of wind would have sunk it. Alas, it stays visible. He’s now at 10 under AND ROSE IS SOLE LEADER…
10:52 PM BST
Aberg birdies the 15th
The Swede is now at 10 under, just one shot back. He is over the water at the par-five in two and two from there gets him right back in this.
This is nervy to blog, let alone play in…
Ludvig Åberg is within one shot of the leaders. #themasterspic.twitter.com/oS213EKsnz
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
10:48 PM BST
Rory tries to violently cut his approach at 14
It’s a good shot but it’s short and left. He still has plenty of green to work with.
Meanwhile, Rose has overhanging branches to deal with on his approach to the 17th. He sends his second short right.
Two VERY BIG (yep, caps lock and bold are justified…) up-and-down attempts coming up.
10:45 PM BST
This is brilliant to watch
But in the ‘watch through your fingers’ sense…
As I type that Rory then blocks his drive at the 14 into the trees…the on place he could not go.
10:40 PM BST
YES. HE. CAN!
The heat is very much on now. Rose sinks his birdie putt and it’s all square at the top 11 under.
Who saw that coming 15 minutes ago? If you have your hands up then you’re either lying or Nostradamus.
Justin Rose is tied for the lead. #themasterspic.twitter.com/KPvDGTDU5H
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
10:38 PM BST
A seven for Rory at 13
Wow…
His second double of the day and it’s come after the perfect lay up. He’s back to 11 under.
Can Rose capitalise?
Find out in the next post…
10:37 PM BST
This is Rory vs Rose
Rose makes his birdie put on 16 and Rory, who has dropped and got his fifth to within eight feet, then they are all square at 11 under….
10:36 PM BST
‘It was such an easy shot’
Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley on Sky commentary says. It was from 89 yards…
10:34 PM BST
Oh dear…
Rory has duffed his chip into Rae’s Creek with his approach to 13. That was an astonishing mistake. That was the only place to avoid and he found it, any other place on on near the green would have been fine…wow.
OK, this is definitely not over, not least with Rose having a good look at birdie up on 16…
10:31 PM BST
While Rory lays up at 13…
…Rose fires his tee shot to the par-three 16th to five feet. It’s not the traditional Sunday pin, it’s at the back right shelf and that was some shot.
10:30 PM BST
This isn’t over
Rose has just birdied the par-five 15th after finding the bunker with his approach from 251 yards. He plays a delightful chip from the sand to leave him with a three-footer which he drains to move to 10 under, three back from McIlroy.
Justin Rose birdies No. 15 and moves into solo second. #themasterspic.twitter.com/ZvgMLGwAtY
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
10:26 PM BST
Both tee shots find the fairway at the par-five 13th
Rory took a three-wood, sensible.
10:25 PM BST
Six holes from the elusive Green Jacket?
10:24 PM BST
Par for Rory at 12
It’s a regulation two-putt to stay at 13 under. Meanwhile, if DeChambeau’s race wasn’t definitely run at the 11th is is now. He cannot get up and down from the back bunker and a bogey leaves him way back at six under.
10:19 PM BST
Jack Nicklaus always says…
…ignore the pin at 12 and fly the ball over the front bunker.
That’s what Rory does, taking Rae’s Creek out of play. DeChambeau’s mind might be scrambled as he sends his tee shot to the back bunker.
10:14 PM BST
Rory back to 13 under
A poor chip shot left him with an eight footer he was unable to sink.
DeChambeau ends up with a double bogey six. He has a tiddler for a five but a horrible putt means he’s now six back of McIlroy.
On to the 12th – the most famous par-three in golf (apologies to the Postage Stamp and 17th at Sawgrass).
10:12 PM BST
Rose drops back to nine under
After a bogey at the 14th. The damage was done with the drive that found the right trees. He’d done all the hard work through Amen Corner but has undone a least a significant part of that with that blemish.
Aberg has also dropped a shot, this one at the 12th. His tee-shot went long and he was unable to get up and down. The Swede is back to eight under.
10:09 PM BST
Coming into this round
DeChambeau had only made greens in regulation 59.3 per cent of the time during the first three rounds. That stat put a lot of pressure on his short game and his poor iron play has cost him today.
10:07 PM BST
Rory did have a shot at the 11th
But he has to thread it between two pines. He hooks it (deliberately) and it looks initially good before moving ominously towards the water…can it stay dry? Yes, it can. But only just…that was a heart-in-mouth moment and perhaps, just perhaps, this is his day.
DeChambeau’s race is run. And once again it’s a hooked iron that proves his undoing. He hasn’t been at it with his approach play and from the middle of the fairway he hooks it into the water to the left of the green.
10:02 PM BST
Rory’s drive finds the trees on the right
Not sure he has a shot in there. DeChambeau booms his tee shot down the fairway.
09:57 PM BST
Rose is only sort of ‘right back in this’ as…
…Rory has birdied the 10th to move to 14 under.
This is seriously brilliant golf – a round and tournament to savour…I am not worried I am jinxing it. This is Rory’s to lose and I don’t think he will.
DeChambeau can only walk off with a two-putt par and is now five back.
Rory McIlroy starts his second nine with a birdie. #themasterspic.twitter.com/4uao6JhRjg
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
09:54 PM BST
Rosey had his Weetabix this morning
His birdied the 13th, just missing an eagle by millimetres, to go to 10 under and and into sole second. He’s birdied all of Amen Corner, so if he didn’t have his Weetabix I reckon he may well have prayed last night. To quote Basil Fawlty and ‘state the bleedin’ obvious’ the Englishman is right back in this.
09:52 PM BST
No repeat of 2011 at the 10th
Yep, I reckon it’s OK to talk about that Masters meltdown. Rory’s drive at the 10th is a 310 monster. It finds the fairway and leaves him 189 yards to the pin. He drops his club on the follow through with the approach but he need not worry as the ball ends up 15 feet below the hole.
DeChambeau is also on the green in two, his eight-iron finding the lower part of the green.
09:45 PM BST
Rory has a four-shot lead heading into the back nine at Augusta
Not ashamed to admit it, but I had goosebumps writing that…I don’t want to jinx it, so I will only whisper this ‘it’s happening, isn’t it? Is Rory only nine holes from golfing immortality?’
McIlroy makes birdie on No. 9 to extend his lead. #themasterspic.twitter.com/EvytUu5Q2i
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
09:42 PM BST
Rory now has a four-shot lead
Thanks to birdie at the ninth. His 352-yard drive leaves him with 82 in and the approach, a flicked wedge is pin high. He makes no mistake with the putt and he’s at 13 under.
DeChambeau plays the hole in much the ssame way (booming drive, baby wedge) but he two putts (missing the birdie attempt on the low side) to stay at nine under.
09:40 PM BST
Nearly another ‘shot heard around the world’
As Hovland nearly registers an albatross at the par-five 15th – the same hole Gene Sarazen holed his second on in 1935.
This round has everything…
Hovland is at level-par…
09:38 PM BST
Yet more reason to write…
… ‘Atta boy, Rosey!’
The former US Open champion has backed up the birdie at 11 with another at the famous par-three 12th. His tee shot went over the front bunker, the line Jack Nicklaus says you always should go for, before draining the 20-foot putt. He’s now at nine under just three shots back.
Also joining him and DeChambeau on that number is Aberg who has birdied the 10th.
This is heating up nicely…
Justin Rose is back in the thick of it. #themasterspic.twitter.com/wrYxjxWO3F
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
09:31 PM BST
As Butch would say…
… ‘Atta boy, Rosey!’
That’s because he’s only just gone and birdied the scary, might cause you to wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat 11th. The Englishman is now at eight under, ready to pounce should the leading do a Devon Loch.
09:29 PM BST
Two pars for the final pair
Both have failed to register a birdie and the second and eighth – wonder what odds you would have got on that before the round?
Rory’s lead stays at three.
McIlroy – 12 under
DeChambeau – nine under
09:26 PM BST
Conners is back to eight under
Thanks to birdies at seven and eight and the Canadian is far from out of the conversation.
09:24 PM BST
DeChambeau’s iron play has been poor
And once again he illustrates that his distance control is all over the place. He has 108 to the pin at eight and he goes well long to the back of the green. The one thing you have to do at Augusta is hit your distances, get in the wrong spot of these undulating, slopey greens and three putts are never far away.
Rory’s approach from 153 yard is below the hole, leaving him with a 20 footer for birdie.
09:21 PM BST
Yesterday Rory caught the lip out of this bunker
Not today – phew. He lays up and will have an up and down from 153 yard for birdie. DeChambeau out of the same sand trap also lays up and will have 108 yards left to the pin.
09:15 PM BST
Deja Vu for Rory
As he finds the right fairway bunker off the tee at the par-five eighth. He’s been wayward off the tee today…sort that out and the Green Jacket should be his…
DeChambeau clearly fancies a bit of ‘sociable golf’ as he spanks his drive into the same trap. The American hasn’t, since the first hole, been able to capitalise on McIlroy’s errors.
09:11 PM BST
Rory and DeChambeau par the seventh
Rory left his birdie putt short but can laugh it off – good sign.
DeChambeau’s approach from the middle of the fairway inexplicably found the front bunker. But the American displays an exquisite touch to get up and down to stay at nine under.
09:07 PM BST
WHAT. A. SHOT!
Rory’s drive finds the right trees. Chip out? Hit it low to the front of the green and then execute an up and down? Nope. He plays the shot of the day (possibly tournament) taking on a tiny gap in the canopy of the pines hitting the iron with the force of a driver landing the approach pin high before it travels on a further 15 feet.
Dare I say it, but that was Tiger-esque.
Quite the escape for Rory McIlroy on No. 7. #themasterspic.twitter.com/mrgTPX3uX9
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
09:03 PM BST
Great par save for Rose at the ninth
His drive found the trees and his approach the high side of the green leaving him with a treacherous downhill two-putt for par. It proves no problem for the Englishman who stays at seven under.
08:59 PM BST
Remember the world No.1?
He’s called Scottie Scheffler (I jest, of course you remember him) and he’s not exactly out of it having birdied the fifth, the seventh and the eighth. The defending champion hasn’t been at the races (for him at least) this week but he’s now at seven under and lurking with intent.
08:56 PM BST
Two pars for Rory and DeChambeau
McIlroy’s tee shot is just off the back of the green, on the fringe but he two putts to stay at 12 under. The American’s birdie putt has a think about going underground but stays in view.
Rory still with the three-shot lead.
08:51 PM BST
Anyone else feel like this?
Every single shot feels like the most consequential moment of the last five years. Can’t remember feeling like that this early on a final day.
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) April 13, 2025
08:49 PM BST
Aberg is on the move
The Swede is quietly going about his business and is now at eight under thanks to birdie at the par-three sixth. His tee shot left him with an 18-footer and he sent the ball into the back of the cup.
He then has a good look at birdie on seven after a brilliant approach left him with an eight-foot uphill putt. Alas, he was unable to sink that. He’s four off Rory’s lead.
08:46 PM BST
Rory makes par at the fifth
As does DeChambeau whose birdie putt went four feet by the hole. But he avoided the ignominy of a third three-putt in a row to stay at nine under.
McIlroy’s lead remains three.
08:42 PM BST
Rose is building up a head of steam
The Englishman has birdied seventh and his second to the par-five eighth is on in two. Decent chance of an eagle coming up for the former US Open champion.
08:41 PM BST
Rory’s approach to the fifth does not find the green
But it’s still a great shot. His drive found the trees to the right, but rather than chip out sideways he takes on the branches and foliage hitting the ball penthouse-high getting the ball to just off the dancefloor on the left.
DeChambeau’s drive finds the fairway and approach finds the green and he’ll have a good look at birdie.
08:31 PM BST
YES. HE. CAN!
From the moment it left the flat stick the ball never even flirted with staying overground. He’s back to 12 under and his lead is now up to three.
Breathe in, breathe out…this is great stuff and from the depth of despair at the first to ‘he’s going to do this’ once again. I said there were going to be fireworks.
Rory McIlroy birdies No. 4 and now has a three-shot lead. #themasterspic.twitter.com/7VIiT5yX9b
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
08:29 PM BST
Back-to-back bogeys for DeChambeau
He cannot sink the second putt at the fourth and drops back to nine under.
Can Rory compound his pain with a birdie?
Find out in the next post…
08:26 PM BST
Treacherous putt for DeChambeau
Wow. It’s a huge breaking left-righter from just off the green. Initially it looks as though he’s got it all wrong, too far left and too long. But it break a lot in the last 10 feet and he’ll have a look at par. Still much work to do though.
08:22 PM BST
Advantage Rory at the par-four fourth
His tee shot leaves him with a 10 footer for birdie. DeChambeau pulls his tee shot back left. Yesterday, the American’s iron play was pretty poor, all his misses, as with the one we’ve juest seen were pulled left…
08:21 PM BST
Buckle up
Already this is nervy/exciting/engrossing/nail biting (delete as you deem fit…).
08:19 PM BST
DeChambeau bogeys the third
His second putt misses on the high side and he’s back to 10 under.
Rory is now sole leader.
Three holes in and it’s already the dictionary definition of topsy turvey
Here’s Rory up and down…
Rory McIlroy birdies No. 3 and is once again 11 under par. #themasterspic.twitter.com/xx9Q0IUH1P
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
08:16 PM BST
Rory back to 11 under!
He hits his left-right breaking putt with a perfect weight. Just what he needed.
What made it better was Butch Harmon saying on commentary: ‘Take that Deeee Cham Bo’
08:15 PM BST
GOOD NEWS
Rory hase just played a brilliant chip at the third to give himself a good chance to get back to 11 under. He got the Big Dog out at the short part four, driving to just short of the green. DeChambeau meanwhile left himself 112 yard in. Both looking for birdies now. The American will go first – he has a 20-foot putt, it’s downhill and he hits it a good few feet past the cup.
08:11 PM BST
Aberg is lurking with intent
The Swede has just missed a sox-footer to move to eight under at the fourth. He stays at seven under.
08:05 PM BST
DeChambeau takes the lead
He drains the tricky downhill putt to move to 11 under. He’s been brilliant on and around the greens and from two back he’s now one up after two holes.
DeChambeau – 11 under
McIlroy – 10 under
Aberg – 7 under
Conners – 7 under
Rose – 7 under
08:02 PM BST
DeChambeau then underhits his first putt
As in the sort of poorly hit putt you’d see at your local municipal course. He’ll have eight foot for birdie.
Rory, meanwhile, two putts for par. to stay at 10 under.
07:58 PM BST
Rory on in three at the second
But it looks fat and a birdie from all of 30 feet is unlikely now…I hate writing this, but it has been a poor start for McIlroy.
07:55 PM BST
Rory lays up with his second at the par-five second
While DeChambeau hits a big seven iron 222 yards to the left-centre of the green. A two-putt to go to 11 under.
07:51 PM BST
Rose is back to six under
That’s after a bogey at the par-three fourth.
07:49 PM BST
Ouch
Rory, having found the bunker at the first, finds the sand again on the second with his drive. Both tee shots were about two feet from being perfect but life is full of what ifs…
07:47 PM BST
Horror start for Rory
It gives me no pleasure to let you know that McIlroy has opened up with a double bogey. He took an age to take the initial putt, looking for the exact break. It didn’t help him as he runs it a good six-feet past, before missing the one back.
DeChambeau then drains his par putt and they are now all level at 10 under.
McIlroy – 10 under
DeChambeau – 10 under
Anyone else feeling deflated already?
07:41 PM BST
Rory’s third flies over the pin
And just stops before trickling over the back. He’ll have a 10-footer, perhaps more, for par.
DeChambeau’s third doesn’t release as much as he’d have hoped. He’ll have an eight-footer, uphill, for par.
07:39 PM BST
Rose is two under for the round
Through three holes. He’s added to the birdie at the first with another at the third and he’s back to seven under. Back in contention? Yep, I reckon.
07:38 PM BST
Rory’s approach…
Hits the lip of the bunker and he’ll have a tough up and down to save par at the first. It looks as though he is grimacing as he leaves the sandy trap. Not to do with an injury just that this isn’t the start he would have been wanting.
07:37 PM BST
DeChambeau
He’s deep(ish) in the trees to the right and decides to chop it out to the front right of the green. Sensible, considering his scrambling stats this week.
07:35 PM BST
The chasing pack
Opening pars for Scottie Scheffler and Shane Lowry. They remain at five under.
Conners, however, has just bogeyed the first. His drive looked perfect as did his approach. BUT the Canadian contrives to three-putt from 25 feet. Ouch. He drops back to seven under, joined there by Aberg who has birdied the first.
07:32 PM BST
Off they go
Rory goes first and his drive finds the right-hand fairway bunker. The last time McIlroy was in the final pairing at Augusta, in 2018, he found the same bunker and it went downhill from there – hope that’s not an omen…
Meanwhile, DeChambeau takes a three wood and finds the trees on the left.
Not a great start for either man…
07:27 PM BST
Conners finds centre of the green
While Reed hits a flyer that goes over the back.
Rory and DeChambeau teeing off in a moment.
07:24 PM BST
Rory and DeChambeau are walking to the first tee
I am nervous, God knows what Rory is feeling like.
Meanwhile, actually on the first tee is Corey Conners. He is four shots off the lead and cannot be ruled out. His drive bisects the fairway. He is playing alongside Patrick Reed, the former champion finds the first cut on the left.
07:15 PM BST
DeeeeeeChambo
That’s how Butch Harmon pronounces DeChambeau, and I like it…
Anyway, the likeable coach emphasises that the American’s ball-striking hasn’t been that great this week, it’s been his scrambling (he’s top of the stats this week) that’s got him into today’s final pairing.
‘It’s Rory’s to lose’ Butch says.
07:09 PM BST
I hope Rory isn’t watching this Sky Sports intro
(He won’t be…) because if he wasn’t nervous before he would be now. Faldo, Dougherty and Harmon are saying things such as ‘if he wins it could be the greatest moment in European golf’ etc. Not underplaying the significance of what’s coming up. Gulp.
Faldo then says that if he plays tee to green as he has done this week then he should win.
Butch says 70 wins it for Rory.
07:05 PM BST
Rosey
(That’s what Butch Harmon calls him and I might do for the rest of this blog…) has birdied the first to move to six under. He hit his approach to six feet and drains the putt. He struggled on the greens yesterday but that is a good start.
07:04 PM BST
It’s time to be sickly sweet
Yep, Sky are doing that overly mawkish nonsense where they, and every other broadcaster covering this tournament, try and elevate the Masters to some utopian plain beyond anything else on Planet Earth. I love the Masters but, ultimately, it is just a golf event.
Anyway, dollops of sentimentality have been served. Now it’s time for the real action.
06:55 PM BST
So what’s Rory been reading?
The opening page of the Reckoning, which is the book Rory is reading this week.
Presented without commentary. pic.twitter.com/g02lHTLcB7
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) April 13, 2025
06:53 PM BST
Justin Rose is off to a good start
In that he’s found the fairway with his opening drive. He had a horrible day yesterday, his lead quickly became a two-shot deficit without him doing anything wrong (down to Rory’s record-breaking start) and then the wheels fell off. He shot three over to come into today’s final round on five under. He’s not out of it but needs probably an eight under to have even the merest hint of hope.
06:51 PM BST
Morikawa birdies the second
To move to four under. The two-time Major winner had 250 yards in for his second shot, it looked as though he shortsided himself to the right of the bunker. But a brilliant up and down sees him move in the right direction. Many fancied him to add to his wardrobe this week, but surely he’s far too back to grab the Green Jacket?
06:39 PM BST
Matsuyama is illustrating there is a low score out there today
Granted, the Green Jacket isn’t on the line but the 2021 champion is on the 18th tee on three under, seven under for the round. He’s fired seven birdies and once again we see course knowledge is key around Augusta.
06:36 PM BST
Two things to take away from that Rory interview
(i) He does seem calm and focussed. Not even a hint of butterflies, anxiety etc etc.
(ii) He called football ‘soccer’…yuck…
06:34 PM BST
Rory McIlroy speaks to Sky Sports – ‘I just want to control the moment in front of me’
On what he’s done this morning to keep calm…
“Fortunately, Sunday is good day for sport, so I watched Carlos Alcaraz play tennis in Monte Carlo, a bit of soccer, and some F1.”
On what’s he’s done since…
“At the golf course it’s easier to settle down and get into your routine, it’s comforting. I’ve been through the strategy for the day, same as the past three days.”
On yesterday’s six-threes start and what to expect today…
“I am not expecting to get off to that start again! But [the aim is to] hit first fairway and first green and go from there. Control the moment in front of me…if I control those moments I will be in a good spot.”
06:29 PM BST
DeChambeau speaks to Sky Sports – ‘I am excited’
Last night the American was the last man standing on the range hitting his irons between the 150-200-yard mark. Asked what he was trying to achieve he said…
“More comfortable form position, that’s what you got to do to get your golf ball around here.”
On today’s round…
“I am just excited for the opportunity, it will be a lot of fun today, I am excited for the battle.”
06:21 PM BST
And the reason for the pin change on 16
A historic hole location on No. 16. #themasterspic.twitter.com/K4324Fx4yC
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
06:20 PM BST
The pin positions
All look fairly familiar bar the one at 16. Usually the Sunday pin is in the bowl back left. But this year they’ve put it back right on the shelf – a much hard pin to go for. Will it play a part in deciding who wins today?
Hole locations for the final round. #themasterspic.twitter.com/99Xeszmh9H
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
06:18 PM BST
Rory is strolling around the ‘real estate’ as the Americans say
I am no kinesics expert (expert in body language, as if you needed to be told…) but he looks cool, calm and collected.
06:13 PM BST
Anyone worried that Rory may mentally crumble a la 2011
I hope this lovely interview Sky Sports had with mental guru Dr Bob Rotella should put your mind at rest.
Basically, if you are worried, then don’t be…
“He’s worked on his wedge game, he’s worked on his mind” 💬
Dr Bob Rotella, Rory McIlroy’s sports psychologist, provides insight on working to build a winning mentality 🧠 pic.twitter.com/UBZ5ix0fSN
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 13, 2025
05:58 PM BST
Matsuyama is five under for the day
The 2021 champion shot a 79 yesterday to end all hopes of a second Green Jacket. But he knows his way around this course and is illustrating that well right now, he’s five under for the day, one under for the tournament, a blemish-free stroll through 13 holes.
One thing that should stand Rory in better stead than DeChambeau is the fact he does know Augusta better than the American. That could be worth a shot today.
05:52 PM BST
Tee times coming up
- 6:10 – Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland
- 6:20 – Sungjae Im, Max Homa
- 6:40 – Nicolas Echavarria, Xander Schauffele
- 6:50 – Justin Rose, Zach Johnson
- 7:00 – Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry
- 7:10 – Ludvig Aberg, Jason Day
- 7:20 – Corey Conners, Patrick Reed
- 7:30 – Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau
05:45 PM BST
Still no pars on Fleetwood’s card
He’s followed up his opening two birdies and two bogeys with a birdie at the devilishly tricky fifth. Rollercoaster. He is back to level par for the tournament.
05:41 PM BST
Anyone else nervous?
Thanks Kieran, I will be taking hold of the steering wheel and driving the Masters-themed golf buggy right through to the close.
So what can we expect over the next six or so hours? I will be shocked if some of the following events do not take place…
- McIlroy to give us all at least some slight heart palpitations.
- DeChambeau to thump his chest at least once.
- McIlroy to follow up an eagle with a bogey.
- DeChambeau to follow up a monster drive with a wayward iron.
- Someone from the close pack to challenge.
- The commentators, especially Nick Dougherty (a brilliant broadcaster, I hasten to add), to constantly remind us what a ‘special’ event the Masters is.
- Nick Faldo to talk at least four or five times about his Masters victories (he’s been quite restrained on that front so far, to be fair).
- What promises to be a final Sunday for the ages to go down the last hole.
05:25 PM BST
Bogey for Fleetwood
Birdie, birdie, bogey, bogey is how the final round has started for Tommy. He started at one over and is now back to one over.
That is all from me and I will leave you in the very capable hands of Greg Wilcox, who will take you through the rest of this final round from Augusta National. Who will be wearing a Green Jacket by the end of today? Rory? Bryson? Somebody else? Make sure you stay with us.
05:21 PM BST
Rahm gets going
The 2023 Masters champion is just starting his final round, alongside Chilean Joaquin Niemann, and will begin at even par. He launches his drive down the fairway and he is off and running.
Up ahead on the third Daniel Berger has made two birdies in his first three holes to move from one over to one under.
05:11 PM BST
Tommy’s early momentum halted
It had been the perfect start for Fleetwood, securing birdies on the first and second. However a bogey on the par-four third has dropped him back to even par.
05:03 PM BST
Campbell flying
What a round the American is having. He started the day but, courtesy of three straight birdies on 10, 11 and 12, he is now at even par.
05:02 PM BST
Sir Nick Faldo on Sky Sports
“It’s better than history! He’s joining five other guys – what an incredible achievement it could be” ⛳️
Sir Nick Faldo assesses Rory McIlroy’s chances of winning the career grand slam today 🏆 pic.twitter.com/KFqXV93iKn
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 13, 2025
04:58 PM BST
Birdie for Tommy
Fleetwood has made a great start to his final round. He made a birdie on the first and a birdie on the par-five second takes him to one under. He is unlikely though to challenge his best finish at The Masters, which came last year when he finished in a tie for third.
04:55 PM BST
Birdie for Theegala
A positive start for the 27-year-old American as he birdies the first. His tee shot is not the best, missing the fairway to the left, but his second is sublime, leaving him just 10 feet for birdie, which he takes. Theegala is yet to win a major and his best finish at The Masters came in 2023 when he finished ninth. He joins the likes of Fleetwood and Matsuyama at even par.
Up at 11 Campbell’s great round continues as he makes back-to-back birdies at 10 and 11. He has improved from five over at the start to one over now.
04:49 PM BST
Matsuyama on a roll
The 2021 Masters champion is flying. He has made it back-to-back birdies on eight and nine and hits the turn at even par, having started the day at +4.
Just ahead of him Campbell has also made birdie and he has improved today from five over to +2.
04:43 PM BST
First man off making some ground
American Campbell got this final round going around two hours ago and his round is ticking along nicely. He began the day on five over but a birdie on the par-four tenth has taken him to two over.
04:35 PM BST
Good start for Fleetwood
Birdie for Tommy on the first hole. His drive finds the fairway and his second is sublime, ending up inside 10 feet of the hole. He nails the birdie putt and improves to even par.
04:34 PM BST
Matsuyama on a roll
There has not been a flurry of birdies so far today but one man who is ticking along nicely is Matsuyama, who has birdied the par-five eighth to move to one over.
Back on the first…
04:25 PM BST
Tommy gets going
Fleetwood is under way on this final round, starting the day at one over. He is playing today alongside 28-year-old American Davis Riley.
Up ahead Harman (+4) and Lee (+6) have made bogeys at the fifth and sixth respectively.
04:18 PM BST
Par start for Fitzpatrick
Not the smoothest of starts for Matt as his drive misses the fairway to the left and his second misses the green to the right. His slightly wayward tee shot gave him an awkward second shot but he gets up and down for the par. He remains at two over.
There has not been a flurry of birdies out there but as I speak Campbell, who teed off first, has made back-to-back birdies at seven and eight to improve to three over.
04:15 PM BST
When the leaders get going
Here are those all important tee times for those at the top of the leaderboard:
6:50 p.m. – Justin Rose, Zach Johnson
7:00 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry
7:10 p.m. – Ludvig Aberg, Jason Day
7:20 p.m. – Corey Conners, Patrick Reed
7:30 p.m. – Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau
04:06 PM BST
Matsuyama birdies the sixth
The Japanese former champion began the day at four over in the second group out but courtesy of his birdie at the par-three sixth he is now up to two over.
04:01 PM BST
Fitzpatrick gets started
The Yorkshireman’s wait for a first major title goes on as he gets his final round going and he is playing alongside 36-year-old Canadian Nick Taylor.
Up ahead on the third Clark’s early momentum has been halted by a bogey on the third, which has seen him drop back to two over.
2016 Masters champion Willett meanwhile has taken advantage of the par-five second with a birdie, which takes him to two over.
03:56 PM BST
Compounding errors
After a bogey on the third, Thomas makes another error on the fourth leading to a bogey. His tee shot lands in the bunker and he cannot get up and down for par so he has to settle for another bogey. His bunker shot was pretty decent but he cannot sink the putt so drops to six over.
Lee has also made a bogey on the fourth so he is now at five over.
03:49 PM BST
Clark goes back-to-back
A great start for the American, who has begun his final round with consecutive birdies and is now up to one over.
03:47 PM BST
Bogeys on the third
Both Thomas and Lee have fallen foul, dropping to five and four over respectively. But back at the second…
03:39 PM BST
Birdie for Harman
The 38-year-old left-handed American, who was victorious at The 2023 Open Championship, has birdied the par-five second to improve to two over.
03:33 PM BST
Clark birdies the first
The 2023 US Open champion has made birdie on the opening hole, helped out by a sublime second shot to within ten feet of the hole. He is now two over.
03:31 PM BST
On the first
2016 Masters champion Danny Willett is getting his final round started. He begins the day at three over and is playing today alongside J.T. Poston.
Up at the par-five second Lee has made birdie to move to three over. One hole ahead of Lee Matsuyama has birdied the par-four third.
Two birdies there but two bogeys for Campbell and Bhatia, who drop to five and seven over respectively.
03:26 PM BST
Lowry ends interview after being asked about McIlroy’s Masters performance
Shane Lowry snapped at a reporter who asked him about Rory McIlroy’s Masters brilliance before ending the interview early, saying otherwise he would say “something stupid”.
After bogeying his final two holes on Saturday evening, the Irishman was fuming with himself as he stepped on to the interview podium at Augusta.
Having played in front of McIlroy all day, Lowry lost his rag when a reporter asked “did you find yourself looking back at all at Rory”?
“No,” said the 2019 Open champion. “I’m not going to stand there and talk about Rory for 10 minutes. I’m trying to win the tournament as well. I know that’s what you all want me to talk about, but I’ve just had a s— finish.”
For the full story, click here.
03:17 PM BST
Iconic moment
50 years ago, a 35-year-old Jack Nicklaus captured his fifth Green Jacket. The thrilling finish in 1975 included Nicklaus’ 40-foot birdie putt on No. 16. The birdie gave him a one-shot lead that he held to the finish. #themasterspic.twitter.com/FTD5IFOfwC
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
03:12 PM BST
First birdie of the day!
Goes to Brian Campbell on the par-five second. He came up just shy of the green in two and a decent chip on presents him the chance to make a birdie, which he takes, to move to four under.
03:10 PM BST
“Write Rahm off as a golfing heavyweight at your peril”
The 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm gets his final round going at 5.20pm BST alongside Joaquin Niemann. Rahm will start his final round at even par after a two-under round of 70 yesterday. James Corrigan has had his say on the Spaniard.
03:05 PM BST
Bad start for Bhatia
The 23-year-old American does not make the ideal start to his final round. He goes from one bunker to another and ends up with a bogey on the first dropping him to six over. His playing partner Hideki Matsuyama makes par and stays at four over.
Behind Justin Thomas and Min-Woo Lee tee off.
03:02 PM BST
Butch Harmon on Sky Sports
🎙️ “This is a huge day for him”
Butch Harmon previews the final day of this year’s Masters as Rory McIlroy looks to win his first one. pic.twitter.com/hJViHDSTVn
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 13, 2025
02:57 PM BST
Par to start
Campbell’s tee shot comes up short of the bunkers on the right-hand side of the fairway, which will leave him 192 yards to the pin. His second finds the bunker on the left-hand side of the green. He does manage to get up and down for a par.
Back on tee 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and Akshay Bhatia are just getting going.
02:51 PM BST
16th pin position
A historic hole location on No. 16. #themasterspic.twitter.com/K4324Fx4yC
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
02:46 PM BST
Tee times over the next hour or so
2:50 p.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Akshay Bhatia
3:00 p.m. – Justin Thomas, Min Woo Lee
3:10 p.m. – Brian Harman, J.J. Spaun
3:20 p.m.– Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark
3:30 p.m. – Danny Willett, J. T. Poston
3:40 p.m. – Sam Burns, Stephan Jaeger
4:00 p.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Nick Taylor
02:41 PM BST
Off we go!
The final round is just getting started as Brian Campbell is on the tee at the first hole. The 32-year-old American from Orange County, California, has won once on the PGA Tour at the Mexico Open in February this year. This is his first appearance at The Masters and he begins his final round at five over.
02:35 PM BST
Beautiful day for golf!
Sunday’s weather bulletin from Augusta National. #themasterspic.twitter.com/Ib3KYBgNzY
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
02:31 PM BST
“The only thing that can stop McIlroy now is his own mind”
When Rory McIlroy holed a devilish chip for eagle at the second, igniting a sequence of six threes unparalleled in the history of the Masters, the usual decorum of an Augusta crowd evaporated. Everywhere you looked, there were corporate bros hugging each other, high-fiving, dashing to the nearest concession stand for refills of their six-dollars-a-pint Crow’s Nest lager. It was an atmosphere more befitting a Ryder Cup than the loftiest stage in sport. Such is the effect of watching golf’s purest talent in full free-wheeling mode, fuelled by nothing but adrenalin and the knowledge that he can produce feats of which others merely dream.
The gasps were audible, both in the galleries following McIlroy and in those watching the manual scoreboards updated elsewhere. 3-3-3-3-3-3: the start to his third round was without precedent in the tournament’s 91 years. So much for the theory about McIlroy feeling inhibited around this course, or disinclined to play his natural game for fear of failure. This was a day when he released the handbrake in spectacular style, staying true to his commitment to let the score come to him. A wise move, all told, given that his card belonged to the realm of fancy.
For more from our chief sports writer Oliver Brown from Augusta National, click here.
02:26 PM BST
European watch
With a Ryder Cup on the horizon later this year at Bethpage, New York, there is a lot of attention on potential Ryder Cup players. Here is how some of the leading Europeans are faring going into the final round:
-12: Rory McIlroy
-6: Ludvig Aberg
-5: Shane Lowry, Justin Rose
-3: Viktor Hovland
-2: Tyrrell Hatton
02:20 PM BST
Rich Beem on Sky Sports
“It is Rory’s time. He has learnt so much about himself and it is going to be his stage. He is more prepared to win by far than the 10 previous attempts [at the Grand Slam] and I think he will get it done. But he is going to be taken to task all day by Bryson.
“I think it is a big plus for Bryson, for sure. He will know it and Rory will know it in the back of his mind. I think Rory will have a healthy conversation with his psychologist about it.
“Hopefully we see a fight to the bitter end and the toughest gladiator wins but I know Bryson will have the edge on the first tee with the little mind games.”
02:14 PM BST
Rory McIlroy’s 54-hole leads in majors
2011 US Open: led by eight and won
2014 Open: led by six and won
2011 Masters: led by four and finished in T15
2012 PGA: led by three and won
2014 PGA: led by one and won
02:09 PM BST
Winners of the career Grand Slam
Gene Sarazen- achieved in 1935 at The Masters
Ben Hogan- achieved in 1953 at The Open
Gary Player- achieved in 1965 at US Open
Jack Nicklaus- achieved in 1966 at The Open
Tiger Woods- achieved in 2000 at The Open
02:04 PM BST
Rory McIlroy’s finishes at The Masters since he has had chance to secure the career grand slam
2015- 4th
2016- T10
2017- T7
2018- T5
2019- T21
2020- T5
2021- Missed cut
2022- 2nd
2023- Missed cut
2024- T22
02:00 PM BST
Iconic
Tiger and Rory on the 15th at Augusta 🤩🤝 pic.twitter.com/DpC91bdm04
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) April 13, 2025
01:55 PM BST
All-important pin positions
Hole locations for the final round. #themasterspic.twitter.com/99Xeszmh9H
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025
01:49 PM BST
Words of wisdom
The opening page of the Reckoning, which is the book Rory is reading this week.
Presented without commentary. pic.twitter.com/g02lHTLcB7
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) April 13, 2025
01:43 PM BST
When the leaders head out for final round
6:10 p.m. – Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland
6:20 p.m. – Sungjae Im, Max Homa
6:40 p.m. – Nicolas Echavarria, Xander Schauffele
6:50 p.m. – Justin Rose, Zach Johnson
7:00 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry
7:10 p.m. – Ludvig Aberg, Jason Day
7:20 p.m. – Corey Conners, Patrick Reed
7:30 p.m. – Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau
01:35 PM BST
Early tee times
All times BST
2:40 p.m. – Brian Campbell
2:50 p.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Akshay Bhatia
3:00 p.m. – Justin Thomas, Min Woo Lee
3:10 p.m. – Brian Harman, J.J. Spaun
3:20 p.m.– Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark
3:30 p.m. – Danny Willett, J. T. Poston
3:40 p.m. – Sam Burns, Stephan Jaeger
4:00 p.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Nick Taylor
01:30 PM BST
Battle for the Green Jacket
Good afternoon and welcome to coverage of the final round from The 2025 Masters. Rory McIlroy holds a two-shot lead going into the final round after a second stunning round of 66 yesterday in the third round. The Northern Irishman has had to wait over ten years for a major since claiming The PGA Championship at Valhalla back in 2014 and could seal the career Grand Slam with victory today. He would become just the sixth man to ever achieve that feat after Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. There have been so many near misses over the last decade but the Northern Irishman has put himself in a great position to end the major drought and claim the career Grand Slam. Speaking after his third round, McIlroy talked through his second consecutive round of 66 and his excitement for the final round.
“It was a dream start,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “I had a bit of a wobble around the middle of the round, I should have converted the birdie on nine, but I think I steadied myself on 11 and 12. To play those even par was important.
“I was trying to take advantage of the par fives and then the shot of the day for me on 15 and being able to convert that. A great Saturday and I am excited for tomorrow [today]. I will not shy away from it. Situations like tomorrow [today] are the reason I get up, work hard and try to do the right things. If I did not want this moment I would not be doing those things. These are the pairings I want to be in and I am excited for that.”
Back in 2011, a 21-year-old McIlroy led by four shots going into the final round at Augusta only to fall apart on the back nine. He carded a round of 80 to finish in a tie for 15th place. McIlroy will be joined in the final group by Bryson DeChambeau, who begins the final round two shots back on ten under. DeChambeau looked like he would start the final round three shots back before sinking an incredible 50-foot putt on the last. These two were involved in one hell of a tussle for the US Open at Pinehurst No2 last year, with DeChambeau coming out on top to claim his second major with an incredible bunker shot on the last. McIlroy had led at Pinehurst in the latter stages but a couple of terrible missed putts proved costly. It was a three-under round of 69 for DeChambeau yesterday and, speaking after his round, highlighted the importance of just focusing on the next shot.
“I was not striking my irons well today [Saturday]] so I have got to work on that and if I can get that locked in for tomorrow [Sunday] it is going to be a fun match. Every hole matters, the most important thing is looking forward to the next shot and thinking ‘how can I give myself the best chance?’ [It is about taking it] just one shot at a time – get into every shot and execute to the best of your ability. That is all you can focus on.”
Canada’s Corey Conners starts the final round at eight under with Ludvig Aberg and Patrick Reed in a tie for fourth on six under. Justin Rose, who led for the first two rounds, is one of four players at five under which includes the defending champion Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry and Jason Day.
Can McIlroy complete the career Grand Slam or will someone (most likely DeChambeau) spoil the party? Sit back and enjoy the final round from Augusta National!
