Rory McIlroy exclusive: Grand Slam glory, winning The Masters and why 2025 was the 'best year' of his golfing career

Rory McIlroy has admitted he feared he may never win The Masters before he completed the career Grand Slam during the 'best year' of his golfing career.

McIlroy became just the sixth male golfer in history and first European to complete the Grand Slam with his dramatic victory at Augusta National in April, where he beat Justin Rose in a play-off to end an 11-year wait for his fifth major title.

The world No 2 experienced 21 top-10 majors without victory between his 2014 PGA Championship success to securing the Green Jacket, including six at The Masters, with McIlroy under scrutiny after several near-misses in previous attempts.

McIlroy had failed to convert a four-shot lead at the final day of the 2011 Masters and slipped away on the Sunday of the 2018 contest, having been in the final group alongside Patrick Reed, before his 2025 victory saw him become the first player since Tiger Woods to join the Grand Slam club.