Rory McIlroy is undoubtedly one of golf’s greatest players, boasting a highly decorated career since he turned pro in 2007. As of writing, the Northern Irishman has bagged 28 PGA TOUR wins and 11 international victories, an achievement that has recently helped him become only the second player to break the $100m barrier in career earnings. His wins include four major championships: two PGA Championships, one U.S. Open, and one Open Championship title. Nonetheless, the Masters trophy remains elusive, stopping him from achieving the ultimate milestone every golfer dreams of – the Career Grand Slam.
Attaining the Career Grand Slam involves clinching all four major championships—the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, The Open Championship, and the U.S. Open. So far, only five golfers have achieved the highly coveted feat in the modern era: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen. Since McIlroy scooped his last major trophy, the PGA Championship title, in 2014, he has hungrily pursued the Masters Tournament’s green jacket to complete the Career Grand Slam. Despite multiple close calls, his journey remains marked by triumphs, heartbreaks, and an enduring determination.
McIlroy’s Performance in Majors
After turning pro in 2007, McIlroy made his presence felt in major championships in 2009, where he finished T20 at The Masters, T10 at the U.S. Open Championship, T47 at the British Open Championship, and T3 in the PGA Championship. In 2010, he missed the cut at The Masters and U.S. Open Championship but posted promising T3 finishes at The Open Championship and PGA Championship.
In 2011, he started with a T15 finish at The Masters but hit the jackpot by clinching the U.S. Open in June, his first major title. He then finished T25 at The Open Championship and T64 at the PGA Championship. In 2012, McIlroy wasn’t so lucky in the first three major tournaments, finishing T40 at The Masters Tournament, missing the cut at the U.S. Open Golf Championship, and T60 at The Open Championship. Nonetheless, Lady Luck smiled at him at the PGA Championship, earning him his second major title.
In 2013, he finished T25 at the Masters Tournament, T41 at the U.S. Open Golf Championship, missed the cut at The Open Championship, and T8 at the PGA Championship. 2014 was a better year for the golfer, starting with a T8 finish at the Masters Tournament and T23 at the U.S. Open Golf Championship and in July, McIlroy scooped his third major win at The Open Championship and then went onto clinch his second PGA Championship in August to constitute four major trophies, his tally to date.
Since then, McIlroy has yet to win another major trophy, with his top 10 finishes including:
- 2015 Masters Tournament (4)
- 2015 U.S. Open (T9)
- 2016 Masters Tournament (T10)
- The Open 2016 (T5)
- 2017 Masters Tournament (T7)
- The Open 2017 (T4)
- 2018 Masters Tournament (T5)
- The Open 2018 (T2)
- 2019 PGA Championship (T8)
- 2019 U.S. Open (T9)
- 2020 U.S. Open (T8)
- 2020 Masters Tournament (T5)
- 2021 U.S. Open (T7)
- 2022 Masters Tournament (2)
- 2022 PGA Championship (8)
- 2022 U.S. Open (T5)
- The Open 2022 (3)
- 2023 PGA Championship (T7)
- 2023 U.S. Open (2)
- The Open 2023 (T6)
- 2024 U.S. Open (2)
Augusta: A History of Heartbreak
Despite scooping four majors by the age of 25, which set him up for a seemingly inevitable run at the Career Grand Slam, the Masters remains the one that has got away for McIlroy nearly a decade later. He has had a bittersweet relationship with Augusta National, with heartbreaks like his infamous 2011 collapse where he led by four strokes entering Sunday, only to shoot a final-round 80.
2022 was a close call, where he had an electrifying Sunday that included a miraculous hole-out bunker shot on the 18th green, posting a sublime 64 for the round. However, he finished second, three shots behind winner Scottie Scheffler.
McIlroy is someone who, boasts elite iron play, long driving, and high ball flight, which are well-suited to Augusta National. Nonetheless, most of his Masters Tournament campaigns have ended in frustration, often due to untimely mistakes or slow starts. Whether due to the challenge of closing the deal, bad luck, or simply pressure, he has yet to put together four Masters winning rounds.
Parting Shot
From 7-13 April, McIlroy will get another opportunity to pursue the Career Grand Slam. His legacy is already secure with an impressive career and four major championships, but the Green Jacket remains his ultimate prize. If he can clinch the missing piece to his puzzle in 2025 or later, it will elevate him into one of golf’s most exclusive clubs.