Rory McIlroy seemed to have control of the 2025 Masters on Sunday when disaster struck in stunning fashion on the par-5 13th hole when his third shot from under 100 yards found the water. He later missed a short putt and settled for a double-bogey seven.
McIlroy, who needs a win at Augusta National to finally win the career Grand Slam, laid up off the tee with a three wood and then decided not to go for the green in two. His decision to play it safe then backfired.
Here's how that played out:
Rory's third shot on No. 13 finds the water. pic.twitter.com/yoS1x5dk5H
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) April 13, 2025
McIlroy lost his big lead shortly after that moment but was later able to get it back with a birdie on the 15th hole after an incredible approach shot.
Golf fans couldn't believe that bad shot on 13:
He did the only thing he can’t do. https://t.co/p7ehymmatU
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) April 13, 2025
Wow, just wow https://t.co/ChRu9i8UWD
— Michael J Kanios (@KaniosJ) April 13, 2025
https://t.co/gdzI5W5BZm pic.twitter.com/7Vsl5CyRVQ
— Mark DeCarlo (@TheRealDeCar10) April 13, 2025
S M H https://t.co/LrrGJ0vJwr
— Nita (@NitaTweetaBeata) April 13, 2025
Not like this, Rory https://t.co/N2inokBCds
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) April 13, 2025
More Masters on Sports Illustrated
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Rory McIlroy's Brutal Mistake at Masters Left Golf Fans Absolutely Stunned.