1 week ago Rocketman Rory McIlroy basking in his status as the hottest ticket in sport

Elton John and Donald Trump among those to congratulate Northern Irishman before Zurich Classic in New Orleans“Please welcome your Players and Masters champion, Rory McIlroy.”Shortly before 8am on the 10th tee at TPC Louisiana. The gallery is less than 100 in number. Still, there is extra pep in the starter’s voice. Those last four words carry such weight, they conjure such images. Masters champion, Rory McIlroy. An introduction he had waited a lifetime to receive. It somehow felt inadequate that it was over in a split second. “Very nice,” said McIlroy later. “I could get used to it.” He will be afforded that very privilege. Continue reading...

Sport

2 w. ago Rory McIlroy shaken by scale of ‘absolutely amazing’ reaction to Masters triumph

Augusta winner returns in Zurich Classic of New OrleansMcIlroy and Shane Lowry are the defending championsRory McIlroy has admitted to being taken aback by the scale of reaction to his Masters triumph. Two US presidents – Donald Trump and Barack Obama – plus huge names from worlds outside sport have contacted the Northern Irishman since he completed the career grand slam at Augusta National. Amid moving scenes at Augusta, McIlroy’s outpouring of emotion reverberated way beyond golf. The achievement meant “everything and more” to McIlroy. It struck chords elsewhere.McIlroy, who beat Justin Rose in a playoff to win the Green Jacket, will return to the course at this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He was in bed with a fever on Monday, and was still slightly jaded when he addressed the media at TPC Louisiana on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy's stance on Manchester United investment amid $1bn net worth admission

The Masters 2025 winner Rory McIlroy is a boyhood Manchester United supporter who idolised Roy Keane during his childhood

Economics

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy steps into league of his own with magical Masters triumph | Ewan Murray

Nick Faldo has more majors and Seve Ballesteros was a majestic shotmaker but the career grand slam is pricelessIn Northern Ireland, debate is already raging as to whether Rory McIlroy has presented himself as the country’s greatest ever sportsperson.The answer is surely obvious. Step aside, George Best. McIlroy’s Masters triumph may even force Sports Personality of the Year to afford due recognition to golf. It is only April but it feels highly unlikely the scene immediately after McIlroy claimed the Masters on Sunday will be matched. His pounding of the turf; his tears absorbed more than a decade of such deep frustration. The moment reverberated beyond sport; Rory had done it. Grown men, lots of them, shed tears on his behalf as he broke his Augusta hoodoo. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Masters nearly man Justin Rose plays huge part in McIlroy’s historic win | Andy Bull

The 44-year-old handled another near miss at Augusta with class and his place in Europe’s Ryder Cup team looks assuredThere was one very happy man in Augusta on Monday morning, and there were 52 all in a stew, turning over thoughts of what went right and what went wrong, that short putt on the 6th, that wayward chip on 12, that sliced drive on 15, or whatever it was that cost them their shot at winning the 2025 Masters. While Rory McIlroy can enjoy what was, everyone else in the field is wondering what might have been. Justin Rose will feel it most. Rose, the antagonist in Rory’s story, scored 65, 71, 75, 66 – the last of them, he said himself, “a bogey away from being the greatest round I’ve ever played”.The second shots during the playoff summed it up. Rose’s was pretty near perfect in the circumstances, and landed 15 feet from the pin, McIlroy’s landed just beyond it, caught the slope, and rolled back down and around, past Rose’s ball, and finished up 5ft from the cup. Sometimes ...

Politics

3 w. ago Grace of Masters nearly man Justin Rose enhanced McIlroy’s historic win | Andy Bull

The 44-year-old handled another Augusta near miss with class and his place in Europe’s Ryder Cup team looks assuredThere was one very happy man at Augusta on Monday morning, and there were 52 all in a stew, turning over thoughts of what went right and what went wrong, that short putt on the 6th, that wayward chip on 12, that sliced drive on 15, or whatever it was that cost them their shot at winning the 2025 Masters.While Rory McIlroy can enjoy what was, everyone else in the field is wondering what might have been. Justin Rose will feel it most. Rose, the antagonist in Rory’s story, scored 65, 71, 75, 66 – the last of them, he said, “a bogey away from being the greatest round I’ve ever played”. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Billionaire shares Rory McIlroy throwback snap with message to Masters 2025 champ

Tom Magnier posted about Rory McIlroy competing in the Masters, accompanying his words with a picture of the top golfer on the day he met horse racing champion Galileo

Politics

3 w. ago McIlroy warns Augusta members will have to ‘wheel me out of here when I am 90’

Masters triumph completes McIlroy’s career grand slamVictory secures lifetime exemption at Augusta NationalRory McIlroy has warned the members of Augusta National they will have to “wheel me out of here when I am 90 years old” after finally ending his wait to win the Masters. In doing so, McIlroy became just the sixth golfer in history to complete a career grand slam.McIlroy has warned his fellow professionals that he already feels perfectly placed for more major wins after adding number five to his CV. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Birdies, jumpers and Green Jackets: the Masters 2025 – in pictures

After four days of great action that ended with Rory McIlroy sealing a career grand slam, a look back at some of our favourite images from the first major of 2025 Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy takes sly dig at reporters with bitter question after Masters win

Rory McIlroy began his post-Masters press conference with a lighthearted dig at reporters after capturing a Green Jacket for the first time.

Politics

3 w. ago ‘Welcome to the club’: Woods leads salutes to McIlroy’s Masters win and grand slam

Media in Ireland and US pay tribute to epic achievement‘This means everything to him,’ adds Shane LowryTiger Woods welcomed Rory McIlroy to golf’s most exclusive club after his dramatic victory in the Masters on Sunday. McIlroy, born in Holywood, Co Down, defeated Justin Rose on the first hole of a playoff at Augusta National to join Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen in having won all four major titles.“Welcome to the club @McIlroyRory,” Woods posted on social media. The 15-time major winner achieved three Grand Slams. He added: “Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special. Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you’re a part of history. Proud of you!” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Gary Lineker's true feelings about Rory McIlroy clear for all to see with Masters comment

Rory McIlroy secured a career Grand Slam and the final major of his career with a sudden death playoff win over Justin Rose at the 2025 Masters on Sunday

Politics

3 w. ago Ryder Cup 2025: Predicting Team Europe after Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory

Rory McIlroy will now lead Team Europe in the Ryder Cup later this year as the Masters champion after his thrilling win at Augusta

Politics

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy reveals touching message to Justin Rose after Masters win

McIlroy paid tribute to his Ryder Cup teammate Rose and revealed the ‘relief’ at securing the career grand slam

Politics

3 w. ago Masters 2025: Rory McIlroy secures career Grand Slam after overcoming Justin Rose in play

Rory McIlroy becomes sixth man ever to complete career grand slam

Politics

3 w. ago Inside Masters champion Rory McIlroy's love life: From Meghan Markle to divorce rumours

Rory McIlroy has secured a career Grand Slam, becoming only the 6th man to win all men's major tournaments, but his love life has also dominated the headlines over the years

Politics

3 w. ago Revealed: What Justin Rose said to Rory McIlroy after Masters playoff heartbreak

Justin Rose has revealed what he said to Rory McIlroy after his Masters heartbreak on Sunday, as the 44-year-old admitted it was a 'momentous occasion' for golf.

Politics

3 w. ago Rory McIlroy shares emotional moment with wife Erica Stoll and daughter after Masters win

Rory McIlroy won the Masters after beating Justin Rose in a playoff on Sunday, having earlier been handed the green jacket by Tiger Woods following his fourth round

Politics

3 w. ago Masters 2025 winner Rory McIlroy's huge net worth including enormous property portfolio

Rory McIlroy has joined Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen and Jack Nicklaus as the only winners of all four men's major championships after a tense play-off at the Augusta National

Politics

3 w. ago With a little boldness and a lot of luck, McIlroy banishes ghosts of 2011 | Andy Bull

For somebody who makes golf look sublimely easy, the world No 2 made winning the Masters look hellishly difficultHas there ever been an athlete who made playing look so easy, and winning seem so hard?On Sunday morning, everyone in Augusta was asking variations on the same single question. “Gonna be his year this year?” the man on the bag check asked. “Do you think he’ll get it done?” the woman guarding the crosswalk asked. “This time, huh, this time?” the man on the door asked. Continue reading...

Politics