Rory McIlroy Completes Career Grand Slam, Wins Masters

Rory McIlroy completed the career grand slam by winning the Masters, ending an 11-year drought and joining an elite group of six golfers to have won all four majors. His dramatic victory, which included losing a five-shot lead before prevailing in a playoff, was celebrated in Ireland and hailed as cementing his place among the sport's greats. Some media coverage criticized McIlroy for not conversing with playing partner Bryson DeChambeau during the final round, but commentators noted that such focus is typical in high-stakes golf and has been employed by other major champions. McIlroy described the win as a massive relief and expressed excitement about playing with less pressure moving forward, while his family's emotional reactions highlighted the significance of the achievement. The Masters win was a historic television event and sparked broader comparisons, such as to NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, who is still seeking his own career-defining victory. While some critics view McIlroy's demeanor as arrogant, others defend his approach as necessary for elite performance.