The LONG JOURNEY IS OVER…
In 2025, at Augusta National, Rory McIlory joined five other golfers in the Hall of Fame by securing the career Grand Slam. His path to becoming only the sixth golfer to complete this feat in the men’s game wasn’t an easy one, taking Rory 14 years from his first major victory to the final putt during a Masters play-off. Our new t-shirt design has been inspired by Rory’s scripting in each of his major championship wins. Where Rory has won a major twice, we used the scripting from his first win. Take a look below to learn more about Rory’s major pathway, from his first in 2011, to his Grand Slam-securing victory in a dramatic play-off during the 2025 Masters Tournament.
Rory’s path to the grandslam
Rory McIlroy announced himself to the sporting world in unforgettable fashion at the 2011 U.S. Open, claiming his first major championship with one of the most dominant performances in golf history.
Held at Congressional Country Club in Maryland, the championship had been billed as a brutal test, yet McIlroy made it look remarkably simple. The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland led from the opening round and never relinquished control, shooting all four rounds in the 60s to finish on 16 under par - the lowest score in U.S. Open history at the time. He won by eight shots, a margin that underlined just how far ahead of the field he was.
The victory carried added significance given what had come just two months earlier. At the Masters in April, McIlroy had suffered a painful final-round collapse after holding a four-shot lead. At Congressional, he showed no such nerves. Calm, composed and relentlessly accurate, he dismantled the course with a maturity that belied his age, silencing any doubts about his ability to close out the biggest tournaments.
2011 U.S Open
In 2012 McIlroy solidified his place among golf’s elite with a stunning performance at the 2012 PGA Championship, capturing his second major title in emphatic fashion at The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
From the outset, McIlroy looked in complete control. Over four days of golf on one of the toughest courses in major championship golf, he played with incredible precision and consistency, finishing at 13 under par (275). His final round, a bogey-free 66, showcased his mastery and poise as he closed the door on his challengers.
When the dust settled, McIlroy stood eight shots clear of runner-up David Lynn, setting a record margin of victory for the PGA Championship, and surpassing Jack Nicklaus’s mark from 1980. His dominance was clear. No competitor came closer than two shots at any point on Sunday, and his clean final 23 holes underscored a level of control rarely seen in modern golf.
At just 23 years old, McIlroy became the youngest player since Seve Ballesteros to win two major championships, further cementing his status as one of the game’s brightest stars.
2012 PGA Championship
Then, just two years later, Rory added another defining chapter to his major-championship legacy at the 2014 Open Championship, capturing his first Claret Jug with a commanding performance at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England.
Rory carded rounds of 66-66-68-71 to finish at 17 under par (271) - a total that left him two shots clear of American Rickie Fowler and Spaniard Sergio García.
Despite a comfortable cushion early on, the final round presented stern tests. McIlroy’s six-shot advantage evaporated as contenders made serious moves, but he steadied himself with key pars and a crucial birdie on the 16th hole, ultimately sealing victory with a composed 71.
The win marked McIlroy’s third major title, following his 2011 U.S. Open and 2012 PGA Championship, and placed him alongside the game’s elite as one of the youngest players ever to win three different majors by age 25. He was now just one major title away from securing the Grand Slam.
In emotional fashion, McIlroy celebrated with his mother at the 18th green — a poignant moment that underscored what the Claret Jug meant to him and fans alike.
2014 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
“The long journey is over, McIlroy has his masterpiece”, Jim Nantz announced on the official Masters broadcast back in April 2025. After 14 years of near-misses, Rory finally secured the Masters. Played from 10–13th April 2025 at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, McIlroy battled through four days of dramatic golf to finish tied with Justin Rose at 11-under par (277). After both players shot 72 holes of elite competition, the title was decided in a sudden-death playoff. On the first extra hole, McIlroy delivered a composed, clutch birdie that sealed his victory and finally earned him a Green Jacket.
The win was more than another major for McIlroy — it was the one that completed the career Grand Slam, a feat achieved by only five other players in history: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
McIlroy’s journey to this moment wasn’t smooth. After leading into Sunday and building a four-shot advantage, a costly double-bogey at the 13th and a missed par putt at 72 holes forced him into a playoff. But he regrouped brilliantly, showing resilience and championship mettle when it mattered most.
