Weekend Wrap - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. McHyde Edition

Well, that had some twists and turns to it....  I don't get much right (check out my Masters pool if you're in doubt), but my Friday call bears noting.  With the rest of the world writing the Ulsterman off with yet another Thursday Masters hiccup, your humble blogger said, "Not so fast."

Given my repeated predictions that Rory would finish his career with a wardrobe void in the green spectrum, who says we don't deal well with change at this age....  Of course, you're also probably thinking that this isn't about me, though I call them right just about as often as Rory wins majors.... Anything more than once a decade is just showing off.

Geoff likes to lede his post with numerical summaries, and he goes long today:

By The Numbers

• -11: Leading score after 72 holes (Rose, McIlroy)
• 3: McIlroy’s score on the first hole of sudden death to win
• 5: Career majors for McIlroy
• 128: Months since McIlroy had won a major
• 3899: Days since McIlroy’s last major win (until Sunday)
• 4: Double bogeys during the week (first ever for a Masters champion)
• 6: Members of the Career Grand Slam Club (Sarazen, Hogan, Player, Nicklaus, Woods, McIlroy)
• 310-329-333-352-295-308-352-310-332-248-317: McIlroy’s non-par 3 tee shots in regulation
• 3: birdies on the 4th hole Sunday (Kim, Theegala, McIlroy)
• 35/56: Fairways hit by McIlroy (63%)
• 47/72: Greens in regulation by McIlroy (65%)
• 17/25: Scrambling by McIlroy (68%)
• 329.3: McIlroy’s driving distance average
• 3: Eagles by McIlroy
• 18 Birdies by McIlroy
• 10: Final round birdies by runner-up Justin Rose
• 72.05: Sunday scoring average
• 36 and 5: 16th hole location paying homage to the 1975 Masters

As much as I loved that 1975 call-out, not sure I get Geoff's "36 and 5" reference....  Can anyone clue me in?

As for our hero, Geoff tries to capture the insanity:

A rollercoaster ride of a day.

A cluster unlike any other.

AYFKM.

WTF x 2025.

Rors, bud. Where to start?

You’re a superstar. The Arnie and Savior of 21st-century patrons. The Green Coats have probably never wanted someone to wear a jacket more than you. And this is not just because you remember their names, make eye contact, know how they’ve made their fortune, or can talk shop with them without leaning on your nearby 20-percenter to finish your sentences.

After the zaniest Sunday at the place where they do zany Sundays like no other, you’ll be doing celebratory toasts tonight, taking the jacket across the Atlantic later this week for mum and dad to try on. McIlroy’ll be enjoying this win after several All-World, steel-cut losses in the 11 years since the last major. But let’s be very clear about one thing: it’s a major-worthy mitzvah that the press center has military grade plumbing, padded walls, soft carpet, and an open bar where the Casamigos-fueled Azaleas flowed as soon as you were done talking about winning the 2025 Masters.

“I don't know if any Masters champions had four doubles during the week, but maybe I'm the first,” Rory McIlroy said, looking splendid in a 38R green jacket. “But yeah, just a complete roller coaster of emotions today.”

You think?

To set the record straight: you were the first with four doubles. Craig Stadler—three doubles in 1982—thanks you. And even Jack Nicklaus is trying to figure out what he just witnessed.

“I’ve never seen a tournament where I’ve seen so many good shots and so many bad shots and so many changes of this and that,” he told Golf Channel’s Live From. “I’m delighted for Rory. I know that he’s had a lot of pressure on him. He’s had the world on his shoulders. That was wonderful to see him win.”

That Jack quote is so very true.....  Several times over the weekend we saw Rory hit shots that only he could hit.... alas, that also includes the wedge into No. 13 yesterday.

And this about a really curious decision:

Rory is a true Master. A gift to golf. A complete golfer who has improved with age and found new ways to love the game even when it dumps fire retardant on his unending fire. The whole thing is all so lovely. And beautiful. Proper. Inspiring. Stunning. Even ethereal.

But what the hell did you do to us on 13?

“I thought I played the 13th hole smartly, at least for the first two shots,” he said of quite possibly the worst shot ever hit by a major champion nursing a four-stroke lead with six to go.

“3-wood off the tee, laid it up into a good position. I had 82 yards to the pin. It went into a little valley and it was on the upslope. And usually when I hit wedge shot off upslopes, they come out a little bit left on me. I gave myself like a couple of yards of room to the right. I wasn't aiming at the creek, but it came out, you know, a little weak and a little right.”

A little? You think?

What's interesting to me is that we've seen exactly no one do that previously, regardless of the size of their lead.  Ironically, it brings into play the worst fate that can happen, which is to end up in the water in three (one can survive being wet in two, especially with a 4-shot lead).  

I had noted that the final round set-up evoked St. Andrews a bit, though the venue providing a stark difference.  The Old Course really was a Par-67 (H/T: Bryson), and I thought he made a critical error there in not maintaining his aggressiveness.  Augusta is a different test, where on needs selective aggressiveness, nowhere more so than the three-shotters.  But I don't think Rory does conservative well, so maybe wasn't well-served doing so.

But I'll credit the guy for acknowledging this (though not sure what Geoff is smoking);

Perhaps most reaffirming in McIlroy’s bizarro win that should have been by seven or eight shots?

For a change, the ball listened.

Gaps in trees opened up.

Deadly lies in past majors were decent this week.

Finally, the guy who seemed to get no breaks in crushing losses at St Andrews, Los Angeles and Pinehurst, received the help all legends need to accumulate multiple majors.

“Look, I rode my luck all week. And again, I think with the things that I've had to endure over the last few years, I think I deserved it. Anytime I hit it in the trees this week, I had a gap. Even the second shot on 7 today, which I probably shouldn't have taken on, Harry was telling me not to. I was like, ‘No, no, I can do this.’"

It just seemed like every bad drive, and there were many, left him with an opening.... But, Geoff, Rory lost at those three venues the good old fashioned way, or were you not watching that putting exhibition at Pinehurst?

Not only did he hit that risky shot, but after the layup on No. 13, he did this from No. 15 (though admittedly he wasn't protecting a lead any longer):

Not like that green was firm or anything....

Shall we see what the Tour Confidential gang thought?  Actually, that was rhetorical, otherwise it's a bit much work for your humble blogger:

Rory McIlroy beat Justin Rose in a playoff to win the 2025 Masters, claiming his first major since 2014 and, more importantly, his first career green jacket, making him the sixth player ever to secure the career grand slam. How would you start to unpack that crazy finish?

Jessica Marksbury: I feel absolutely wrecked, and all I did was watch! I cannot recall a Masters,

or any tournament, for that matter, with so many twists and turns, ups and downs, and emotional investment. It was a nail-biter from the first hole. Jack Nicklaus said — and I’m paraphrasing— that he’s never seen so many good shots mixed with so many bad shots. He nailed it! It was outrageous, exciting, excruciating, like nothing I’ve ever watched. What Rory achieved was so wonderful. I think everyone watching wanted it for him. And his ultimate moment of catharsis on 18 — down on his knees, sobbing into the green — brought tears to my eyes too. It was inspiring and awesome, literally everything you ask for in a sports story, or any human story, was on display today. I’m still in a state of recovery.

Josh Sens: By far the craziest tournament I’ve ever watched. It was hard to tell whether the golf gods were in an especially mischievous mood or if McIlroy was just messing with us. I think it’s fair to say by the wild swings in his play–and his intense emotion after–that playing with the weight of history – and with so many painful memories in the majors– isn’t easy. Fans have good reason to feel elated for Rory. And also maybe a little bad for Justin Rose.

Jack Hirsh: How do I unpack that? I just had my heart ripped out of my chest only to have it sewn back in multiple times over the last several hours. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so strongly about a sports event since Tiger in 2019 and there wasn’t near as much drama as today. First McIlroy was blowing it, then he rallied, then he was dominating. Then he was playing safe, then he blew it. Then he rallied again. Then he blew it and then he finally won it. I’m tired just typing that. I think the important thing is this. Had McIlroy lost today, there was a real argument to be made that he might never have been able to recover from it. Now? He might be set up to win 10 more majors before he’s done (and maybe three more this year)!

Yanno what would be great?  If golf writers heard the words as they come off their keyboard.  Sure, Jack, it was eleven years in the desert between Nos. Four and Five, but by all means concede him Nos. 6-15.....  Because that's how golf works.

The point Hirsh was trying to make isn't much better.  To wit, that had it gone pear-shaped for Rory it might have been sufficiently devastating that he couldn't recover.... You mean, like Pinehurst?  But didn't he sort of recover from that, Jack?  

Rory made this a crazy day, but it would also be nice if these writers knew some history, because there have been far crazier Masters.... The year Charl won jumped out at me, as well as the one they honored with that 16th hole pin placement.  And someone mentioned 2019, but wasn't there all sorts of mayhem in 1986 as well?  It's this event's signature move, but when your writers are all 22 years old...

McIlroy rebounded from a double bogey on the 1st hole, escaped some tree trouble with some magnificent approaches on the first nine and overcame a late double bogey and short missed putt on the 18th to eventually beat Rose in a playoff. What most impressed you about his victory?

Marksbury: McIlroy showed some serious fight, but he didn’t appear to get too up or too down during the round. He stayed cool and collected, and that enabled him to continue hitting those

miraculous shots. Even though he missed some makeable ones down the stretch, he still hit the shots he needed to give himself the opportunities.

Sens: There were so many moments where he could have just slumped his shoulders and slinked away. What must have been swirling through his head as it all seemed to be slipping away from him again. The fact that he was able to pull out of what looked like a self-inflicted death spiral is pretty remarkable.

Hirsh: My colleagues touched on the mental, but the physical is just as impressive. When we talk about 15 yesterday as well as 5, 7 and 15 today, he hit shots that I firmly believe he is the only human on the planet capable of hitting. Tiger used to do the same thing. No one was even thinking about going through some of the windows he tried on 5 and 7, his caddie even tried to talk him out of it, but he has so much speed and is able to elevate the ball so high, it’s truly remarkable. We’ve compared Scottie Scheffler’s winning ability to Tiger Woods, but we haven’t talked about (at least lately) how Rory is the closest thing physically we’ve seen since Tiger in his prime.

His good golf was simply better than anyone else's....  I was struck by the improvement in his wedge play, which combined with his other-worldly driving....

What do you think was the difference between this Rory and the version that’s had so many major close calls over the last couple of years?

Marksbury: In his past near-misses, McIlroy’s body language was always very indicative of his mood — the lack of bounce in his walk, the pained expressions, the downcast eyes. I didn’t notice that on Sunday, although he had plenty of reason to be negative! But he stayed the course, which enabled him to ultimately capitalize on his final opportunity. He seems like a changed player in that sense, which is an impressive evolution.

Sens: I agree with you there, Jess. After he missed the putt on 18 in regulation, he grinned in a way that seemed pained but also borderline amused by the absurdity of it all. He’d said it all week—that this wasn’t a matter of life and death, that even the most brutal heartache can be overcome, and that he still believed in himself. His comportment all week suggested that those weren’t just empty words.

Hirsh: To be honest, he finally got lucky. He still hit the bonehead wedge on 13 and missed the putts on 15, 16 and 18 in regulation, but this time there was no Cam Smith to boatrace him or Bryson DeChambeau to outduel him. That’s not a knock on McIlroy because winning major championships is simply hard and you need luck to get there. But when he hit his second at 11 and it stopped just inches before the water, I was convinced it was just his day.

The internal and the external.  Rory did a great job of bouncing back from all the doubles, of course he had the benefit of lots of experience there.  He was the best player out there, only making it closer with the boneheaded stuff...

On the flip side, he banked all those lucky windows out of the trees, and also benefitted from the biggest break of all, to wit, that nobody really came at him hard.  Rosie made the big putt on No. 18 and clawed his way back top relevance, but had let himself lose contact with Rory in the middle of the round.

But am I the only one that saw echoes of 2005 in yesterday's end game.  What most folks don't remember about Tiger's famous chip shot is what ensued immediately thereafter.  With a two-shot lead, Tiger proceeded to make ugly bogeys at both Nos. 17 and 18 to force a playoff with Chris DiMarco, which he birdied the first hole of to win.  Those were two great swings Rory made on the playoff hole, so all credit there.

This will be a tough one to answer:

Which non-winner is still leaving Augusta National pleased with their week, and which pro leaves still searching?

Marksbury: Patrick Reed has to be thrilled with his performance this week — an out-of-nowhere 3rd-place finish, only two shots off the lead? That’s wild! He does have an excellent record at Augusta overall, but since the majors are the only opportunity we have to gauge LIV players against their PGA Tour peers, this has to feel like a big statement for him.

As for a searching pro, my heart aches a bit for Justin Rose. Man, what a performance, and so brutal to come up short yet again. And at 44 years old, he knows he’s on the back-nine of his already Hall-of-Fame worthy career. But I’m sure this one stings.

Sens: Max Homa has to feel pretty good. It’s been a rough season for him so far. Five straight missed cuts heading into Augusta. Nice to have him back.

Hirsh: Yeah, I’m jumping on the Justin Rose bandwagon. He’s now finished runner-up in the last two majors and he had to go through qualifying to get in the Open Championship! He’s clearly still got something left in the tank. It would be awesome to see him win again, especially after showing such class in defeat.

Gotta wonder where Nick Dunlap is at right now. His rally on Friday was inspiring, but 90 is a shocking score for a guy who won twice last year. Hard to remember he is still just 21.

If he hadn't gotten that 18th hole reprieve from Rory, not sure he'd come in for much sympathy this morning.  He's a good guy and a good player, but after that strong opening round he seemed to hanging on for dear life.  he was never gonna win it unless Rory coughed it up to him...

I refuse to concede that Patrick reed was even in the field, and Max Home seems to be able to play just this one golf course these days.... So, not too many happy campers leaving Augusta.

What did you learn at Masters week?

Marksbury: I had an idea that double-bogeys at Augusta equalled death, and winners need to shoot under par on Sunday. And Rory proved all of that wrong!

Sens: Great way to put it, Jess. I can’t top that. What I learned wasn’t so much a lesson, but a reminder. In golf–and in this golf tournament in particular–expect the unexpected.

Hirsh: That Rory McIlroy can hit a golf ball very, very high.

 And from the "Way too soon" department:

Come 2026 Masters week, there’s no more storyline focusing on Rory and his quest for the career grand slam. So, what will be the biggest storyline?

Sens: Can Rory win his fifth straight major?

Marksbury: YES, Josh! Another one: Will Tiger play, and will he make the cut, is always a favorite. Other than that, I think it will be fun to track this growing contingent of players who are playing awesome at Augusta year after year. Scottie was three shots away from winning a third green jacket. Ludvig was in the mix again, and you have to think that Rory will continue to be a factory for years to come. Who will be the Masters king of the next generation?

Hirsh: Yeah, I agree with Sens too, and there’s more to unpack with that. McIlroy is setting himself up to have a Scheffler-like year, but maybe with more majors?! He’s won four times at Quail Hollow, site of the PGA Championship. The U.S. Open is at Oakmont, which should be tailor-made for a bomber like him. And the pièce de résistance? The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush in his home country, where he owns the course record. He clearly has his sights set on leaving little doubt that he is Europe’s greatest player.

Lost in the shuffle is what a good week it was for Europe.  For a while it was a three-way tie that included Ludvig, and guys like Rahm and Tyrell redeemed their weeks.  I'm gonna focus on Bethpage before worrying about Rory's title defense.

And I'm going to exit on a minor story, just because it's so hard to understand people:

Former Masters champ’s secret gesture was ‘nice touch’ for Rory McIlroy

Who it was might surprise you:

Angel Cabrera, present at Rory McIlroy’s collapse, was one of the reasons behind his rise.

With McIlroy up by two heading into Sunday’s final round of the Masters, and in search of his first green jacket, he opened his locker upon arriving at Augusta National and found a note from the 2009 Masters winner. Fourteen years ago, they’d been paired together when McIlroy entered the final round of the Masters up two, only to shoot a near-unfathomable 80 and exit Augusta National in a fog.

The message was short. The message was remembered. McIlroy won this year’s Masters a few hours later, in a playoff with Justin Rose, and McIlroy specifically noted the note in his press conference opening statement.

“And honestly, you know, what came out of me on the last green there in the playoff was, you know, at least 11 years, if not 14 years of pent-up emotion,” McIlroy said. “You know, since 2011, I think it’s so ironic, as well. I got to my locker this morning and I opened it up, and there was a note in there from Angel Cabrera, and just wishing me luck.

“And Angel Cabrera was the player I played with on the final day in 2011. It was a nice touch and a little bit ironic at the same time. It’s been 14 long years, but thankfully I got the job done.”

And not the first such story about Cabrera, a man who has generated some horrible stories in recent years.  But, to appreciate Cabrera, talk to Adam Scott.   Not only did Cabrera help Scott regain his confidence at a Prez Cup many years back, but he also exhibited some of the most genuine sportsmanship I've seen in losing a playoff to Scott at Augusta.

It's just the yin and the yang of human nature but, without discounting those accusations against him, I can't help but feel that he's earned a second chance.

That's it for today.  Hope you enjoyed that wild Sunday, and we'll have further thoughts as the week progresses.