The 2025 Masters Tournament has concluded, and it was full of excitement.
After a dramatic final round, Rory McIlroy secured victory with a birdie on the first playoff hole, defeating Justin Rose and achieving a career Grand Slam. Patrick Reed finished third, Scottie Scheffler fourth, and Sungjae Im and Bryson DeChambeau tied for fifth place.
What does this victory signify for McIlroy`s season going forward? Who else performed notably? 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 significant questions arising from the Masters as we look ahead to the rest of the 2025 golf season.
What`s Next for Rory This Year?
Mark Schlabach: One might wonder if this Masters victory, after a long wait for a green jacket and a major title (ending a decade-long drought), could be a turning point in Rory`s career.
McIlroy has long been recognized as one of the most gifted and accomplished golfers of his era. He boasts over 50 wins globally and has held the world No. 1 ranking for over 100 weeks.
His major drought since the 2014 PGA Championship might have been the only thing preventing him from being universally placed among legends like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods as the greatest ever.
Now, with the Masters win, McIlroy may feel less pressure heading into major tournaments, especially at Augusta National.
`Today was challenging,` McIlroy admitted after his round on Sunday. `I was incredibly nervous this morning, particularly on the first tee, as evidenced by the double bogey. But that actually calmed me down, and I managed to recover and demonstrate the resilience I`ve often spoken about.`
`It was a significant burden lifted, and I`m relieved to be free of it. Knowing I`ll return here every year is wonderful.`
Paolo Uggetti: Even before questions were posed at his post-round press conference, McIlroy, smiling, asked the media: `What will we discuss next year?`
Don`t worry, Rory. The conversation has already shifted to how many more majors he might win, not just in his career, but this year. However, let`s consider how McIlroy will manage expectations after this major victory.
McIlroy`s emotional reaction on the 18th green Sunday showed the immense relief this win brought. While it`s true he`s now liberated to pursue more major titles, golf is a sport where each tournament is a fresh start.
McIlroy has been dedicated to his process during his 11-year majorless streak, especially in recent years, to give himself opportunities to win. Now, if he aims to continue adding to his PGA Tour and major championship count, it will be interesting to see if his drive remains as intense.
The positive aspect is that McIlroy is arguably playing the best golf currently, and the upcoming majors – Quail Hollow (where he`s won four times), Oakmont, and Royal Portrush (his home course) – seem favorable for his game.
Beyond Rory`s Win, What`s the Biggest Masters Takeaway?
Schlabach: Despite not being at his peak, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler still managed a solo fourth-place finish at 8-under at Augusta National. Scheffler`s iron play was slightly off, and he struggled to build momentum until a Sunday 69 put him briefly in contention as McIlroy faced challenges on the back nine.
Scheffler hit 62% of greens and 71% of fairways over the tournament. Among players who made the cut, he ranked 26th in strokes gained: approach (.630) and 58th in strokes gained: off the tee (-.110).
`I believe this was a week where I could have easily become frustrated with my play, my swing, or course conditions, especially when shots didn`t go as intended,` Scheffler said. `But I`m proud of how we persevered and fought hard. … Mentally, I think I was at my best all year. My game just wasn`t quite there.`
Scheffler was aiming to join Nicklaus as the only golfers to win three green jackets in four years.
It will be interesting to see if McIlroy can challenge Scheffler for the world No. 1 ranking this season. While Scheffler dominated in 2024, he hasn`t won yet this year. McIlroy is on a similar trajectory to Scheffler last year, with three wins including the Masters.
Uggetti: Despite the division in the golf world, major championships remain compelling. Four times a year, the best golfers from different tours compete, creating fascinating storylines.
The initial rivalry narrative between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour has lessened, replaced by the intriguing matchups and narratives that emerge when these tours meet at majors.
This Masters, like recent majors, highlighted top performers, produced dramatic finishes, and crowned deserving champions. Majors continue to hold significant intrigue and prestige.
Perhaps reconciliation within golf will occur eventually, benefiting the sport overall. But for now, majors feel more important than ever and consistently deliver excitement.
Who Were the Biggest Winners (Besides McIlroy)?
Schlabach: Besides McIlroy, I`d highlight veteran Masters champions Zach Johnson and Bubba Watson.
Johnson, 49, had dropped to 289th in the world rankings after a poor 2024 season. He had been focusing on his son`s high school football and seemed to be considering the PGA Tour Champions as he approaches 50.
He has also been dealing with an elbow injury since last summer.
The 2007 Masters winner had a strong Saturday with a 6-under 66, his best Augusta round. He finished tied for eighth at 5-under, his best PGA Tour result since 2021.
`I still believe I`ve got it,` Johnson stated. `Pride might be the right word, or whatever you want to call it.`
Watson, 46, playing in LIV Golf, hadn`t had significant results this season. His best LIV finish was a tie for 12th in Saudi Arabia. He`s currently 36th in LIV standings.
However, the two-time Masters winner matched his career low with a 4-under 68 on Sunday, tying for 14th at 3-under. This was his best Masters finish since 2019.
Watson`s 17th Masters appearance and course knowledge were advantageous.
`You always seek information,` Watson said. `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 noteworthy.
Homa needed a positive week after missing five consecutive cuts and openly discussing his swing struggles.
His solution? Playing Augusta National for four rounds. Homa shot under par each round.
`It`s great. It hasn`t been enjoyable lately,` Homa said after making the cut. `It`s good not to be my own worst enemy out here.`
Homa seems comfortable at Augusta. Following a third-place tie last year, his T-12 finish secures an invitation for next year.
However, Homa seeks consistent success and wins. More work remains.
`Tough times are temporary; resilient people endure,` Homa said. `Ultimately, if you get out of your head, it`s just one tournament. Missing a cut by one shot feels terrible, but you`re always closer than you think.`
Biggest Masters Disappointment
Schlabach: PGA Tour and LIV Golf seem far from resolving their differences and reunifying golf. We`ll likely see top golfers compete together only three more times this season (at the remaining majors).
While many notable players 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 after a quadruple-bogey on the 18th in the second round. Koepka`s recent major form has been poor, with finishes outside the top 25 in his last six.
Johnson, a former U.S. Open and Masters champion, missed the cut with rounds of 74 and 73. He has missed the cut in four of his last six majors and hasn`t finished in the top 30 in the other two.
Smith`s move to LIV Golf was surprising given his peak form after winning the 2023 Open Championship. He had inconsistent major results since then, including a missed cut at The Open.
Early Favorites for Remaining Majors?
Schlabach: McIlroy will likely be favored at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, in May. He`s won at Quail Hollow four times and holds course records. A sixth major and third PGA title next month wouldn`t be surprising. I predict McIlroy will win his second major in a row.
I expect Scheffler to have some wins before the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in June. He had consistent top-10 major finishes before a T-41 at Pinehurst last year. Oakmont`s tight fairways and bunkers favor accurate players. Scheffler won`t go a year without a major.
McIlroy will also be a sentimental favorite at the Open Championship`s return to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland in July. He missed the cut there in 2019 but is a strong contender. Keep an eye on Irishman Shane Lowry, the previous Open winner at Royal Portrush; he`s also playing well.
Uggetti: Mark has the favorites right, so I`ll add some names to consider.
Ludvig Åberg has now finished top 10 at Augusta twice. Despite limited major experience, his game suits various major setups. Åberg has the ball-striking to compete with Scheffler and McIlroy and has shown Sunday resilience.
Also watch Xander Schauffele. Despite not being fully recovered from a rib injury, he managed a T-8 at Augusta.
And don`t forget Bryson DeChambeau, who briefly led on Sunday. This loss won`t deter him. Quail Hollow and Oakmont may favor DeChambeau`s power and give him major chances.
Wesley Dunham