Where can you even begin on the rollercoaster that was Rory McIlroy’s final round at the 2025 Masters. At the bottom of Rae’s Creek or the top of the golfing pantheon? Hell, the first four holes were a whirlwind of their own.

By the time he collapsed into the arms of friends by the clubhouse, the accumulated emotion was spilling out. When he finally emerged tearfully from the scrum, he ran his fingers through his hair and let out a guttural yelp of happiness. Then he broke into a wide smile. “Right,” he said, “I have to go get a green jacket.”