After a thrilling four days at Augusta National, Rory McIlroy became only the 4th man in history to successfully defend The Masters, joining Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sir Nick Faldo, in yet another exclusive ‘golf club’.
After a record-breaking six shot lead for 36 holes, it was hard to see McIlroy not win his 2nd Green Jacket, however a surge from Scheffler, Cameron Young, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and other made the weekend one of the most entertaining and exciting Masters in recent times.
Ultimately Rory found what he needed in the closing few holes to claim his 6th Major title – something many of us thought was possible but below we take a look back to our prediction in 2025 when Rory completed the career Grand Slam:
The countdown to the Masters is on, and we want to share why we think 2025 will finally be the year that Rory McIlroy joins the ‘most exclusive golf club in the world‘.
It is often quoted that ‘time is our greatest opponent’ – true in many walks of life – but almost 11 years after his last Major success, surely this is time for Rory McIlroy to end his quest for the career Grand Slam!
A favourite amongst the staff here at Shot Scope, many of our team are rooting for Rory to finally secure a Green Jacket come Sunday evening.
Back in 2019, we gave you 5 reasons Tiger Woods would win the Masters, so we’re going to give it another go, this is why we think Rory McIlroy will win the 2025 Masters!
1. Off to a flyer
McIlroy has lifted The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass and the AT+T Pebble Beach Pro-Am so far this season, as well as finishing T5 at the Valero Texas Open last weekend.
He has started 2025 as well as he could possibly have hoped for, leading the FedEx Cup, surpassing $100M won on tour, made every cut and finished inside the top 25 at all five events.
2. Strokes Gained
McIlroy is leading the field in overall Strokes Gained by +2.319 as well as Off the Tee with 0.857*.
Being accurate off the tee as well as carrying plenty distance is essential around Augusta National. Perhaps an area of concern could be his current rank of 19th in approach play & 10th for putting.
Hitting greens in Georgia is by no means easy, with the addition of some of the trickiest greens on Tour, we all know however that if Rory turns it on, he will be attacking every flag he can.
3. Scoring
With an average round of 68.9* this season, McIlroy leads on best average score against any other Tour player. His lowest round so far was 64, averaging 4.35 birdies per round, and an eagle every 60 holes.
Ranked 13th for Round 1 scoring, Rory is inside the top 10 for scoring averages in Rounds 2 & 4 with 68.2 and 68.4 respectively.
One potential issue is ranking 64th for a third round average of 70.0, which of course will be Saturday’s moving day.
We know from past experience that McIlroy is capable of scoring around Augusta, anything from 64-68 is possible for each of the four tournament days.
Wondering how amateurs would fair at the famous 13th Hole ‘Azalea’ ? – Check out our analysis
4. Mentality
Often questioned after near-misses at last year’s US Open and the 150th Open in St.Andrews, it is easy to see why some doubters do not believe McIlroy has the mentality to add to his Major haul.
Winning 28 times on Tour, winning 4 Major Championships, multiple Ryder Cups, as well as winning the ‘Home Opens’ in Scotland, Ireland & The Claret Jug, McIlroy knows what it takes to get over the line, under the most intense pressure in the biggest tournaments in the world.
The opportunity to join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan & Gene Sarazen as the only Grand Slam Winners is what awaits McIlroy in the Champions Locker Room – does he have the mentality to join that club? Absolutely.
5. It simply has to happen
There are certain things in any sport that just make sense.
Lionel Messi had to win the World Cup – he did. Andy Murray had to win Wimbledon – he did it twice.
Tiger Woods had to win 1 more Major – completed it.
Rory McIlroy has to win the Masters, it’s as simple as that.
McIlroy has earned the right to join some of the greatest golfers of this and previous generations at the Champions dinner table, before The Masters gets underway.
However, it comes back to our earlier point – the biggest opponent that Rory has right now is time – is time running out? How long will he continue to compete at the highest level, another 10 or 12 years perhaps?
We think 2025 will belong to Rory.
Will we see him stand on the 16th tee come Sunday with a lead, or a lead to chase down?
Drama guaranteed, let’s see how it unfolds, at the 89th playing of The Masters.
Featured / cover image credit: Shutterstock
*Stats from PGA Tour
Updated April 2026
