I love a good discussion. So, in the name of defending the indefensible, I’m here to tell you that the best moment on the PGA Tour this year was when American journeyman Brian Campbell’s tee shot bounced off a tree in a playoff against Aldrich Potgieter at the Mexican Open. He is almost certainly an alumnus, and he went from having to gift-wrap the young South African’s first career Tour title to hoisting the trophy with an improbable victory, with the shortest hitter in the field beating the longest driver in the field on a course that favored the Bombers. If that victory wasn’t improbable enough, Campbell won the John Deere Classic again. What a great year 2025 was for the 32-year-old product of the University of Illinois.
But Campbell’s parents, his caddy and perhaps Potgieter’s accountant were the only ones nodding in agreement that this was the moment of the year. I admit it was as tough as ever to choose this year’s iconic moments. There’s only one answer to this year’s moment: Rory McIlroy won the Masters in April, completing a career Grand Slam.
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It’s a moment that will be etched in the memory of the 2025 golf season.
McIlroy took us on the wildest roller coaster of emotions – he blew, he rallied, he coasted to victory, he blew, he made the hero shot, he blew again, he rinsed, and finally got his approach close enough on the first hole of the playoffs that even he was able to swing for victory – 14 years after squandering a back-nine lead at Augusta National Golf Club in what would have been his first major. He also ended a nearly 11-year drought in the majors.
I think it was a 5 iron with a rope on the 15th? A brilliant 8-iron at 17 years old? Or did I just see McIlroy on all fours hitting the ground on the 18th green with the feeling of knowing he had achieved a lifelong dream? Yes, yes, and yes.
Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy share a moment on the 18th green after McIlroy won the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
McIlroy became the first player to complete a career Grand Slam since Tiger Woods in 2000. He is one of only six players to have achieved this feat. And while nothing should be taken away from Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan, who achieved it before it became a benchmark, only Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus achieved it in the modern era — and that was almost 60 years ago. This speaks volumes about the rarity of this achievement.
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So, sorry, Brian Campbell, I tried, but even I couldn’t look past the way McIlroy gave himself up a few times before finally overcoming the final hurdle and achieving, in his words, the best moment of Golfweek.
Every time I think of McIlroy’s victory at the Masters, there are three memorable moments in the aftermath of the celebration.
Shane Lowry shot 81 in the final round and was working hard as he entered the clubhouse. He had already made it clear on his way to the locker room that he would not be doing any interviews. But once McIlroy signed, his mood did a complete 180 and he came running down the stairs with a smile on his face. As he waited to open the door and pick up his buddy, he said of McIlroy that he intended to give him a bear hug and lift him off the ground.
The hug that really stands out to me is the one McIlroy gave Kate Rose, Justin Rose’s wife. McIlroy was already trying to console his opponent, fully aware at this moment that Rose was the unlucky loser in the playoffs for the second time, and as happy as he was, he lost at the Masters to Sergio Garcia in 2017. Rose shot a 66 with 10 birdies in the final round, but it wasn’t enough to win his second career major.
And after hugging just about everyone hanging out in the scoring area, McIlroy uttered a line that brought a new wave of cheers and jeers. “Time to go buy a green jacket,” he said.
It finally happened, and while there were plenty of flashes before and after, nothing came close to matching McIlroy at the 2025 Masters.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Rory McIlroy’s Masters win is an unforgettable golf moment in 2025
