The 2025 Masters is now history, and it certainly lived up to expectations.
In a dramatic final round, Rory McIlroy secured a birdie on the first playoff hole, defeating Justin Rose and achieving the career Grand Slam. Patrick Reed finished third, Scottie Scheffler fourth, and Sungjae Im and Bryson DeChambeau tied for fifth.
What does this victory mean for McIlroy`s season going forward? Who else impressed? And who are the top contenders for the remaining major championships, starting with the PGA Championship in mid-May?
Here are some of the most pressing questions emerging from the Masters as we look ahead to the rest of the 2025 golf season.
What`s Next for Rory This Year?
Mark Schlabach: After finally securing the green jacket and completing the career Grand Slam, ending a major championship drought of over a decade, one has to wonder if this victory will truly unleash Rory`s full potential.
McIlroy has consistently been among the most gifted and accomplished golfers of his era, with over 50 wins worldwide and holding the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for more than 100 weeks.
His previous failure to win a major since the 2014 PGA Championship might have kept him from being considered among the absolute legends like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods.
Now, McIlroy no longer carries the immense pressure of winning a major, especially at Augusta National.
`Today was tough,` McIlroy admitted after his Sunday round. `I was incredibly nervous this morning, especially on the first tee, which showed with the double bogey. But, as I said, it calmed me down, and I was able to recover and demonstrate the resilience I`ve often spoken about.
`It was a huge burden to bear, and thankfully, I no longer have to. It frees me up, knowing I`ll be returning here every year, which is wonderful.`
Paolo Uggetti: Before any questions were posed at McIlroy`s post-round press conference, he smiled at the media and asked, `What will we discuss next year?`
Don`t worry, Rory. The conversation has already shifted to how many more majors he can potentially win, not just in his career, but this year alone. However, let`s play devil`s advocate and consider how McIlroy will manage the emotional comedown from such a significant victory.
McIlroy`s reaction on the 18th green Sunday clearly showed the weight lifted off his shoulders. While it`s true he`s now liberated to pursue more major titles, the nature of golf means he essentially starts anew at the next tournament.
McIlroy has been dedicated to the process during his 11-year major drought, particularly in the last four years, consistently giving himself chances. Now, if he aims to increase his PGA Tour wins and major championships, it will be interesting to observe how his hunger evolves and whether it remains as intense.
The positive aspect? Currently, he`s playing the best golf, and the upcoming majors this year — Quail Hollow (where he`s won four times), Oakmont, and Royal Portrush (his home course) — seem to favor his strengths.
Beyond Rory`s Win, What`s the Biggest Masters Takeaway?
Schlabach: Despite not being at his absolute best at Augusta National, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler still managed a solo fourth-place finish at 8 under. Scheffler`s iron play was slightly off his usual world-class standard, and he struggled to gain momentum until a Sunday 69 almost put him in contention as McIlroy faltered on the back nine.
Scheffler hit 62% of greens in regulation and 71% of fairways throughout the tournament. He ranked 26th in strokes gained: approach (.630) and 58th in strokes gained: off the tee (-.110) among players who made the cut.
`I believe this week I could have easily become frustrated with my play, my swing, or on-course events, missing my intended targets,` Scheffler stated. `But I`m proud of how we persevered and competed. … Mentally, I felt at my best all year; my game just wasn`t quite there.`
Scheffler was aiming to join Nicklaus as the only players to win three green jackets in a four-year span.
It will be interesting to see if McIlroy can challenge Scheffler`s world No. 1 ranking this season. Scheffler was clearly the dominant player in 2024, but hasn`t won yet this year. Rory is on track to replicate Scheffler’s last year’s success with victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Players Championship, and the Masters.
Uggetti: Despite the division in the golf world, major championships remain in a strong position. Four times a year, the best golfers from all tours compete, bringing compelling storylines to the forefront.
Since LIV Golf`s inception, the idea of a tour rivalry has lessened, replaced by captivating narratives that emerge when tours meet at majors.
This Masters, like recent majors, has elevated top players, resulting in dramatic finishes and deserving champions. Majors continue to be the most prestigious and impactful tournaments.
Reunification of golf may happen one day, benefiting the sport overall. But for now, majors feel more significant than ever and continue to deliver excitement.
Who Else Won Big at the Masters?
Schlabach: Besides McIlroy, I`d highlight veteran former Masters champions Zach Johnson and Bubba Watson.
Johnson, 49, had dropped to 289th in the world rankings after numerous missed cuts in 2024 and a quiet start to this season, except for a T-21 at the Sony Open in January. He reduced his play last fall to watch his son`s senior football season and seemed to be preparing for the PGA Tour Champions as he approaches 50.
He`s also been dealing with a right elbow injury since last summer.
The 2007 Masters winner made six birdies in eight holes for a Saturday 66, his best Augusta round. His T-8 finish at 5 under was his best PGA Tour result since 2021.
`I still feel like I`ve got it,` Johnson said. `Pride might not be the right word, but whatever you call it.`
Watson, 46, hasn`t stood out much in LIV Golf, with a best finish of T-12 in Saudi Arabia this season. He`s currently 36th in individual points.
But the two-time Masters champion matched his career low with a Sunday 68 and tied for 14th at 3 under. It was his best Augusta finish since T-12 in 2019.
Watson was making his 17th Masters start, and his course knowledge was advantageous.
`You always seek information,` Watson noted. `But as you age, that information isn`t as effective as it once was.`
Uggetti: In the non-Rory category, Max Homa, who tied for 12th, is a notable winner.
Homa desperately needed a positive week after missing five straight cuts and openly discussing his swing struggles.
His solution? Four rounds at Augusta National. Homa broke par in each round.
`It`s great. It`s been miserable,` Homa said after making the cut Friday. `It feels good to not sabotage myself out here.`
Homa is clearly comfortable here. A year after tying for third, his T-12 finish earns him a return invitation.
However, Homa seeks consistency and wins, not just positive weeks. There`s still work ahead.
`Tough times pass; tough people endure,` Homa said. `Ultimately, if you clear your head, it`s just one tournament. Missing a cut by one can feel awful, but you`re always closer than you think.`
Biggest Masters Disappointment
Schlabach: The PGA Tour and LIV Golf League seem far from resolving their differences and reuniting golf, likely limiting us to just three more events with all top players competing this season.
While several big names missed the Masters cut, LIV Golf captains Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, and Dustin Johnson were among the most disappointing.
Koepka, a five-time major winner, missed the cut with a quadruple-bogey 8 on the 18th in the second round. Koepka, with three PGA Championship and two U.S. Open wins, has finished outside the top 25 in his last six majors.
Johnson, the 2016 U.S. Open and 2020 Masters champion, missed the cut with rounds of 74 and 73. While not terrible, DJ has missed the cut in four of his last six majors and didn`t crack the top 30 in the other two.
Smith`s LIV Golf move was surprising as he seemed to peak after winning the 150th Open Championship in 2023. He tied for sixth at the 2024 Masters but then T-63 at the PGA, T-32 at the U.S. Open, and missed The Open cut.
Early Favorites for the Remaining Majors?
Schlabach: McIlroy will likely be favored at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 15-18. He`s won the Wells Fargo Championship there four times (2010, 2015, 2021, 2024) and twice set course records (62 in 2010, 61 in 2015). A sixth major and third PGA Championship next month wouldn`t be shocking. I`m picking Rory for another major win.
I expect Scheffler to have a couple of wins before the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh, June 12-15. He had three straight top-10 major finishes before T-41 at Pinehurst No. 2 last year. Oakmont`s narrow fairways and bunkers will favor accuracy over power. I`m picking Scheffler to secure a major this season.
McIlroy will also be a sentimental favorite at the Open Championship`s return to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, July 17-20. He missed the cut there in 2019, with a quadruple-bogey 8 and triple-bogey 7 in the first round 79. A second-round 65 wasn`t enough to make the weekend. Watch Irishman Shane Lowry, the previous Open winner at Royal Portrush. He`s also playing great golf.
Uggetti: Mark has the favorites right, so I`ll add some contenders.
Ludvig Åberg has now finished top 10 at Augusta twice. While only one other top-12 major finish in eight tries, his game suits almost any major setup. The 2025 Genesis Invitational winner has the ball-striking to rival Scheffler and McIlroy and has shown comeback ability on Sundays.
Also watch Xander Schauffele. At Augusta, Schauffele didn`t seem fully recovered from his rib injury, but still managed a T-8 after an opening 73.
And don`t forget the Sunday leader after two holes, DeChambeau. This loss won`t deter him from major contention. Quail Hollow and Oakmont suit DeChambeau`s power and give him major chances.
Adrian Whitmore