Justin Rose’s message to Rory McIlroy after the thrilling 2025 Masters said a lot about both players.
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Justin Rose Nearly Plays Spoiler as Rory McIlroy Completes Career Grand Slam at Augusta
Justin Rose has known Rory McIlroy for years. And on Sunday at Augusta National, the 44-year-old Englishman nearly stood between his longtime friend and golf history.
Rose, seven shots back of McIlroy to start the final round of the 2025 Masters, turned back the clock with a sensational back-nine charge, making six birdies to surge into contention. As McIlroy faltered down the stretch, the two found themselves locked in a sudden-death playoff with the green jacket—and a career Grand Slam—on the line.
Both players split the fairway on the first playoff hole, the par-4 18th. Rose stuck his approach to 15 feet, only to be outdone by McIlroy’s laser to just four feet. Rose’s birdie try tracked toward the hole but missed low, setting the stage for McIlroy to bury his short putt and finally claim the one major that had eluded him.
As the putt dropped, McIlroy tossed his putter into the air and dropped to his knees, overcome with emotion. After rising to his feet, he shared an embrace with Rose—who has now lost twice in a Masters playoff—and offered a heartfelt message.
“I just told him, ‘This is a historic moment in golf,’” Rose said afterward to CBS’ Amanda Balionis. “Someone achieving the career Grand Slam—it’s pretty cool to share that moment with him. Of course, I wanted to be the guy to stop it, but this is a huge moment for the game.”
Rose had opened the week with a red-hot 65 and held the 36-hole lead before sliding back on Saturday. But he emptied the tank on Sunday, carding 10 birdies against four bogeys for a 66, including a clutch 20-footer on the 72nd hole to post 11-under and force McIlroy to deliver late.
Though McIlroy answered the call, Rose left Augusta with plenty to be proud of. After finishing runner-up at the 2024 Open Championship and again this week, he believes another major title is within reach.
“To make that putt on 18, the one you dream about as a kid, to give myself a chance—it was unbelievable,” he said. “I’ve been here before, like in 2017. That one stung too, but I bounced back and became World No. 1. So I’ll take this and use it. I’ve come second in the last two majors. That’s right where I want to be. It shows I’m doing the right things.”
Rose has seen McIlroy’s journey up close, through the highs of early stardom and the decade-long drought since his last major. And while Rose would have been a worthy champion himself, his graciousness in defeat underscored the respect he has for what McIlroy achieved.
He’s also been on a journey of his own—rebuffing LIV Golf, rebuilding his game, and grinding his way back into contention on golf’s biggest stages.
Justin Rose might not have taken home the green jacket, but he reminded the world exactly who he is: a class act, a fierce competitor, and one of the game’s most enduring figures.
And on this historic Sunday at Augusta, while Rory McIlroy finally became a Masters champion, Justin Rose reminded everyone why he belongs in every conversation about golf’s greats.
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