Rory McIlroy opens up on battling inner doubts before long-awaited Masters breakthrough

Rory McIlroy completed the Career Grand Slam earlier this year with a victory at the 2025 Masters Tournament. The Northern Irishman opened up about struggling with chasing that longstanding dream of his in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports.

Having waited eleven long years to secure his fifth Major championship title and also to complete the Career Grand Slam, McIlroy came close to accomplishing the feat on several occasions. He revealed feeling like the 2025 Masters Tournament could be his 'final chance' to attain one of golf's biggest pinnacles heading into the final round of the tournament on Sunday.

Here's a look at what Rory McIlroy had to say about battling with his mental game ahead of his dramatic win at Augusta National earlier this year (via Sky Sports):

"I ended up winning The Masters at 35, but I had a chance when I was 21. I also had a chance when I was 28. I've had a few more chances in between, and as your career goes on, you know, you feel like that window is closing. Going into that Sunday, I would say, 'Could this be my final chance? Could this be the one?'...So yeah, I had my doubts before that, but I had to sort of put that all in the back of my mind, just go out and try to play a good round of golf, which I don't feel like I did. I did in parts, but I didn't in others."

Rory McIlroy posted a 1 over par 73 score on Sunday to tie with England's Justin Rose with a 72-hole score of 11 under par. The 2-time PGA Championship winner defeated his fellow Ryder Cup teammate on the first playoff hole to win his fifth Major championship.

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Exploring Rory McIlroy's Major victories

Here's a look at all five of Rory McIlroy's victories at Major championships (via PGA Tour):

US Open

• Year - 2011
• Position Through 54 Holes - 8-shot lead
• Winning Score - 16 under par
• Margin - 8 strokes
• Runner Up - Jason Day

PGA Championship

• Year - 2012
• Position Through 54 Holes - 3-shot lead
• Winning Score - 13 under par
• Margin - 8 strokes
• Runner Up - David Lynn

The Open Championship

• Year - 2014
• Position Through 54 Holes - 6-shot lead
• Winning Score - 17 under par
• Margin - 2 strokes
• Runners Up - Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia

PGA Championship

• Year - 2014
• Position Through 54 Holes - 1-shot lead
• Winning Score - 16 under par
• Margin - 1 strokes
• Runner Up - Phil Mickelson

Masters Tournament

• Year - 2025
• Position Through 54 Holes - 2-shot lead
• Winning Score - 11 under par
• Margin - Playoff
• Runner Up - Justin Rose

Edited by Lathika Krishna