In golf, a career grand slam is almost impossible to achieve. This rare achievement consists of winning all four of golf’s major championships: The Masters, PGA Championship, The Open, and the U.S Open.

Only five men have achieved this prior to this year: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. Each of them knows how to deal with many struggles, like mental pressure competing on some of golf’s biggest stages, intense competition, and challenging course conditions. Now, McIlroy joins them not just as a talented player, but as a golfer with resilience and determination. 

Rory McIlroy is now the sixth male golfer to achieve a grand slam.

 This does not mean players haven’t come close. Golf Week says that 11 golfers have completed 75% of the grand slam, winning three major championships. 12 golfers, including Rory McIlroy, were included in this list prior to April 2025.

McIlroy had completed 75% of the Grand Slam for 11 years and 249 days.  This burden followed him for the past 10 years when entering the Masters, knowing that the tournament was the last leg needed for this accomplishment. McIlroy began wondering if he would ever get a Masters green jacket. 

Although McIlroy’s 2025 Masters round had some ups and downs, including four doubles, his resiliency over these years earned him this honor and his final grand slam. 

“I’ve never been happier for the guy; he is an all-time great for this win,” said junior Eli Witherspoon.