Gary Player welcomed Rory McIlroy into the most illustrious club in golf and predicted his Masters triumph could herald a new era of success for the Ulsterman.
McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam with his emotional win at Augusta yesterday – the 35-year-old blowing a commanding final round lead before beating Justin Rose on the first playoff hole.
It was his first major win in almost 11 years and saw him become just the sixth man in the history of golf to win the game’s four biggest prizes.
It wasn't a dream. #themasters pic.twitter.com/JIWeyeShDE
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 14, 2025
📰 Table Of Contents
McIlroy is the most talented player in the world – Player
Player also belongs in that group and the 89-year-old South African, who won the Green Jacket in 1961, 1974 and 1978, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It was so exciting, it was up and down, and for Rory to join us as a Masters champion and a Grand Slam winner is absolutely remarkable. I don’t think there’s ever been any doubt, I’ve always said he is the most talented player in the world today, he has the best swing by a mile.
“He is a hard worker and he deserves everything he gets.
“There were two shots in there that I will never forget for as long as I live. The first was when he was on number seven and he was in the trees, there was one little gap and he took a massive swing on to a tiny green and it ended up four feet from the hole.
“And then at the end, after it looked like he was blowing it at 13 and 14, he hit a high, high hook which ended up about six feet from the hole [on the 15th]. And to finish on 18, after making a mess the first time around, he knocked it stone cold.
“I’ve never seen such enthusiasm by the crowd. They followed Rory and they wanted him to win. The country can be very proud of him, he is a wonderful, well-mannered man who is doing an awful lot of good for golf.”
I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Rory McIlroy on his historic win at the Masters and completion of the career Grand Slam. The drama of today capped off with his playoff victory was simply meant to be. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my admiration for Justin… pic.twitter.com/CiUKTMSjr6
— GARY PLAYER (@garyplayer) April 14, 2025
Masters win might ‘free’ McIlroy up – Player
McIlroy has often got in his own way as he attempted to claim a previously elusive fifth major title and many pundits now believe he will go on and win many more.
Player added: “There is some logic in that this might ‘free’ him up. Golf is a game full of intricacies that nobody can ever really explain, you never quite know what is going to happen. I was sitting there watching with my family saying that Rory’s going to win by five shots – on the contrary, it is a humbling game.
“But nobody has got his talent. You don’t have to look to the future, look at what he’s done now. The Grand Slam, the five majors. We will hear a lot more from him.”
Player also took time to speak of his admiration for Rose, who was gracious in defeat after a brilliant final round featuring 10 birdies thrust him into contention.
“Let’s not forget about Justin Rose,” he said. “In my humble opinion, he might be the greatest gentleman I have ever met in golf. He was absolutely victorious in defeat.
“I would have known exactly how he felt because I came second three times. It never, ever leaves you. But I must praise him to the hilt for that.”
