April 13, 2025: Rory McIlroy putts for birdie to win the 2025 Masters Tournament during the playoff hole on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.Getty Images

Rory McIlroy won the prestigious Masters golf tournament, clinching a career-defining Grand Slam, on Sunday evening, April 13.

A native of Holywood in Co Down, McIlroy nearly saw the victory slip away on Sunday in Augusta, Georgia but ultimately triumphed over English golfer Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff.

The 35-year-old golfer fell to his knees with delight upon winning.

“It was all relief," he said later. "There wasn't much joy in that reaction. It was all relief.”

McIlroy shared sweet embraces with his wife Erica Stoll and their daughter Poppy after the big win - but perhaps the biggest hug for McIlroy came from his fellow Masters contender and Co Offaly native Shane Lowry, who personified the pride surging throughout the island of Ireland on Sunday night.

Sunday's is McIlroy's first victory at a major since 2014. Having previously won the US Open, the PGA Championship, and the British Open, McIlroy has now claimed a career Grand Slam - he's only the sixth person to achieve the distinction.

He is also the first person from the island of Ireland to win the Masters, as well as the first European to win a Grand Slam.

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"It's a dream come true"

Speaking after his win, McIlroy choked up when talking about his parents: "I want to say hello to my mum and dad, they're back home in Northern Ireland."

Fighting back tears, he agreed that his parents made a lot of sacrifices that helped him get to this point.

"I can't wait to see them next week," he said. "Just can't wait to celebrate this with them."

After being given the green jacket reserved for champions of The Masters, McIlroy told the crowd: "This is, by far, the greatest golf tournament in the world.

"I'm from a place that I might get criticized for saying that," he added with a laugh.

"I go back to watching this tournament on the weekend with my father when I was seven and eight years old, watching Tiger Woods do what he did in 1997, that was my inspiration to try to become what I am today.

"To think that I'm up here wearing one of those green jackets is, honestly, it's a dream come true.

"My dreams have been made today."

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"One of Northern Ireland’s biggest sporting achievements"

Messages of congratulations lit up social media on Sunday after McIlroy's huge win.

"This is a huge moment in sporting history, and one that has filled everyone back home with great pride and that will undoubtedly inspire future generations to chase their dreams," First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill said.

"This is an incredible achievement and he truly has made Northern Ireland proud of the international stage," Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little Pengelly said, adding: "So many people here were cheering him on every step of the way and now he has given us one of Northern Ireland’s biggest sporting achievements."

"Epic achievement by one of golf’s greatest talents," Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin said.

"A proud day for him, his family and for Ireland," Tánaiste Simon Harris said.

"A truly outstanding achievement," President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said.

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Hoorays in Holywood

Not surprisingly, McIlroy's victory prompted a standing ovation at a watch party at Holywood Golf Club.

Sullivan Upper School, where McIlroy was a student, extending its congratulations, sharing a vintage photo of the future golf champ.

But perhaps SDLP MP Colum Eastwood summed it up best: