MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 13, 2025

Fred S. Ridley

Rory McIlroy

Jim Nantz

Press Conference

JIM NANTZ: We welcome the world to Butler Cabin here at Augusta National with Chairman Fred Ridley and this 89th edition will go down as one of the greats of all time.

I think the entire world is spent after watching this afternoon of golf, Fred.

CHAIRMAN FRED S. RIDLEY: I couldn't agree more, Jim. Our patrons here at Augusta National around the world were treated to an unforgettable Masters, as exciting as we've had in our history.

JIM NANTZ: We're pleased to be joined by the 2024 winner, Scottie Scheffler, who made a nice run this year. Scottie and Rory McIlroy, your new champion.

CHAIRMAN FRED S. RIDLEY: Rory, your play today was amazing. I know you've been in contention often here over the years, and now you're the Masters champion. How does that feel?

RORY MCILROY: It feels incredible. This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time. I think the last 10 years coming here with the burden of the Grand Slam on my shoulders and trying to achieve that, yeah, I'm sort of wondering what we're all going to talk about going into next year's Masters.

But I'm just absolutely honored and thrilled and just so proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion.

JIM NANTZ: Rory, what you went through today, the ups and the downs. You said just a moment ago you wondered if you would ever win the green jacket. Did you have points in this round where you had to remind yourself you were still right there after a few slip-ups?

RORY MCILROY: Yeah, when I hit the wedge shot into the creek on 13, I felt like I did a really good job of bouncing back from that, and the double bogey at the 1st, as well.

But I was really nervous going out. It was almost as if the double bogey at the 1st calmed my nerves a little bit and sort of got me into it in a funny way.

I just think all week how I responded to setbacks, I think that's what I'll take from this week. Couldn't be more proud I myself for that and being able to back bounce when I needed to.

JIM NANTZ: And then in the playoff, Rosey hit a beautiful second shot and then you bettered it right behind him. Tell us about how you won it.

RORY MCILROY: Yeah, I think I had two yards less in the playoff than I did in regulation. It was a little bit of a flatter lie, as well, so I knew I had a perfect three-quarter gap wedge; was going to land into the slope and come back.

So it was a good number. I just needed to make a good, committed swing, and I made one at the right time.

JIM NANTZ: Got to ask you about the reaction because it was as authentic as anyone has ever seen. Trevor Immelman said on our broadcast here in the States that that was 11 years in the making, and we really did see the weight that you had been carrying all that time.

We talked about the journey to be here, what Gerry and Rose did for their boy, for him to be this Career Grand Slam winner. What was that moment like, and what is it right now just seconds away from having that green jacket?

RORY MCILROY: Yeah, I think -- I would say it was 14 years in the making, from going out with a four-shot lead in 2011, feeling like I could have done it got there.

Yeah, there was a lot of pent-up emotion that just came out on that 18th green. A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.

I want to say hello to my mom and dad. They're back home in Northern Ireland.

JIM NANTZ: They made a lot of sacrifices for you.

RORY MCILROY: They did. And I can't wait to see them next week. I just can't wait to celebrate this with them.

JIM NANTZ: You made a lot of people happy here today, Rory, and showed a lot of what it takes to be a champion. It's time for your green jacket.

CHAIRMAN FRED S. RIDLEY: Scottie, you continue to be a great champion and we look forward to watching you here at Augusta National and wearing the green jacket for many years to come. We'd be honored if you would now place the green jacket on our 2025 champion, Rory McIlroy.

Congratulations, Rory.

RORY MCILROY: Thanks, Fred.