Justin Rose Had Classy Message for Rory McIlroy After His Historic Masters Win

AUGUSTA, Ga (WE)-It finally happened. Rory McIlroy just made golf history—on the biggest stage, at the biggest moment, in one of the most thrilling finishes Augusta National has ever seen. And while the spotlight is squarely (and rightfully) on McIlroy for clinching that elusive green jacket and completing the career Grand Slam, another major figure in Sunday’s Masters finale, Justin Rose, showed why he’s one of the classiest competitors in the game.

Let’s set the scene, because this one had it all—nerves, birdies, drama, sportsmanship, and a moment that will live forever in golf history.

A Grand Slam Kind of Sunday

Heading into the 2025 Masters, Rory McIlroy had won everything in golf—except this. The green jacket had eluded him for over a decade, a missing piece that turned into something of a ghost for the Northern Irishman.

But Sunday, April 13, 2025, changed everything.

After four days of navigating the ever-tricky Augusta National Golf Club, McIlroy found himself tied atop the leaderboard with none other than his Ryder Cup teammate and long-time friend, Justin Rose. The two Europeans have shared plenty of cups and laughs through the years, but this time, it was mano-a-mano, winner-take-all, with history hanging in the Georgia air.

And history, as it turns out, was ready to be made.

A One-Hole Playoff for the Ages

McIlroy and Rose finished 72 holes locked at 10-under-par, setting up a sudden-death playoff starting at Augusta’s iconic 18th hole.

After two perfect tee shots, both players reached the green in regulation. But it was McIlroy who calmly rolled in a 9-foot birdie putt. With that, he became just the sixth man in golf history to complete the career Grand Slam, joining the legendary company of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.

The crowd exploded. The emotions flowed. And amid all the chaos and celebration, Justin Rose was right there, waiting to offer a few simple, powerful words.

“A Historic Moment in Golf”

Right after McIlroy made that final putt, CBS Sports’s Amanda Balionis caught up with Rose to get his thoughts. The 44-year-old Brit, who was just one putt away from his own second major title, didn’t sulk. He didn’t complain. He didn’t even sound remotely bitter.

Instead, he delivered one of the classiest post-match interviews in recent memory.

“I just said, ‘Listen, this is a historic moment in golf to have someone achieve the career Grand Slam, and it was pretty cool to share that moment with him,’” Rose told CBS.

He then added, with a smile:

“Obviously I wanted to be the bad guy today, but still, it’s a momentous occasion for the game of golf.”

Seriously—what a pro. That’s sportsmanship at its finest.

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A Moment Ten Years in the Making

McIlroy’s Masters win has been one of the most anticipated storylines in golf for years. After capturing the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, the U.S. Open in 2011, and the Open Championship in 2014, the only thing missing from his résumé was Augusta.

It wasn’t for lack of trying. McIlroy had multiple close calls at the Masters, most famously in 2011 when he led after three rounds only to implode on Sunday. That 80 in the final round haunted him for years. There were other chances too—top 10s, final-group pairings, dramatic charges—but the jacket always slipped through his fingers.

Until now.

A Hug and a Legacy

After the playoff, cameras caught McIlroy and Rose embracing near the clubhouse. McIlroy was visibly emotional, wiping away tears, while Rose smiled and gave him a warm hug.

Later in his winner’s interview, McIlroy mentioned how much it meant to have Rose there at that moment.

“Justin’s been one of my closest friends on Tour,” McIlroy said. “We’ve played Ryder Cups together, practiced together, traveled together. To have him standing there on the 18th green after that win—it means more than people probably realize.”

It’s one thing to be gracious in victory. It’s another to be gracious in defeat. Justin Rose pulled off the latter with genuine class and grace.

Twitter Reacts: Pure Class from Rose

Golf Twitter quickly lit up, not only praising McIlroy’s historic win but also Rose’s sportsmanship. Here are a few of the standout tweets:

• “That’s what the game is all about. Respect. Rose is a legend.” — @GolfChannel

Rory McIlroy. Shane Lowry.

This is what friendship is all about. 💚 #theMasters pic.twitter.com/LvRi0JAnLB

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) April 13, 2025

• “McIlroy got his green jacket. Rose gets a gold star for class.” — @TheMasters

Rory McIlroy receives his Green Jacket. #themasters pic.twitter.com/0ulQ963w68

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2025

What This Win Means for McIlroy

This wasn’t just another trophy on the shelf. McIlroy’s win at the Masters instantly reshaped his legacy.

He’s now in the most exclusive club in golf: Career Grand Slam winners.

It’s the kind of achievement that elevates a player from great to immortal. And McIlroy got there with a finish that will be replayed for decades.

Oh, and he’s only 35. There’s time for more jackets, more majors, and more memories.

What’s Next for Rose?

As for Rose, his performance at Augusta proves he’s still a force to be reckoned with. At 44, many had written him off as a top contender at majors. But he proved them wrong, battling toe-to-toe with one of the game’s best and pushing the tournament to an extra hole.

He may not have won the green jacket, but he walked away with something arguably more valuable: respect.

Expect Rose to be in the mix at the U.S. Open in June. And don’t be surprised if he finds his way onto another Ryder Cup team soon.

A Friendship Forged in Golf

McIlroy and Rose’s bond goes back years. They’ve played together on five Ryder Cup teams (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2023) and even shared a gold medal experience at the Tokyo Olympics.

They’re cut from the same cloth: elite talents, gentlemen on and off the course, and fierce competitors who respect the game—and each other.

Their duel at Augusta only deepened that friendship.

Golf Wins, Too

Let’s take a second to appreciate the broader impact of this moment.

In an era of flashy outfits, heated rivalries, and the occasional drama bomb (looking at you, LIV Golf), Sunday’s Masters gave us something pure: two friends competing at the highest level, pushing each other, and showing the world what sportsmanship looks like.

That final image—McIlroy hugging Rose as fans roared behind them—wasn’t just about golf. It was about character. And fans everywhere felt it.

Final Thoughts

There are a million reasons why Sunday’s Masters was special. Rory McIlroy finally getting his green jacket. The elusive career Grand Slam. The drama of a playoff. The legacy cemented. But in the middle of it all was a simple, powerful message from Justin Rose.

“This is a historic moment in golf, and it was pretty cool to share that moment with him.”

Class. Grace. Respect.

That’s the kind of stuff that makes sports unforgettable.