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Rory McIlroy reprises iconic 15th hole moment at Augusta National before The Masters
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- Rory McIlroy reprises iconic 15th hole moment at Augusta National before The Masters
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy's shot on the 15th hole during the 2025 Masters is one moment that will not fade from memory any time soon.
With the tournament slipping away and having dropped four shots over his previous four holes, McIlroy produced a towering draw from the left side of the 15th fairway at Augusta National.
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The 36-year-old's birdie on the hole secured him a spot in a playoff with Justin Rose.
McIlroy then secured victory at The Masters by making a birdie on the first extra hole, claiming the career Grand Slam.
The five-time major winner achieved the most significant victory of his career at the Masters and will aim to defend his title next month.
And it appears the Holywood, Northern Ireland native has already started getting ready for his Masters defence.
Rory McIlroy tried to recreate famous 15th hole shot at Augusta National
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
McIlroy spoke with the media at the SoFi Center on Sunday night.
After Boston Common faced off against Jupiter Links in their TGL match, McIlroy was asked if his roping hook on the 'Stinger' hole reminded him of that famous shot he played on Augusta's 15th a year ago.
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The Northern Irishman then mentioned he had just returned from an early visit to Augusta ahead of his title defence.
"A little bit, yeah," McIlroy responded.
"I was actually at Augusta yesterday and I sort of went over there and hit the shot again.
"Yeah, had two more clubs, 5-iron."
The significance of that 2025 shot is not lost on anyone. It was a moment that probably gave him all kinds of belief in his game under pressure.
If he finds himself needing to play a similar approach in future tournaments, there is every reason to think he will back himself again to make it happen.
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Padraig Harrington singles out another of Rory McIlroy's standout shots at The Masters
Padraig Harrington highlighted a shot from McIlroy on Sunday at The Masters that, in his view, only one other golfer – Bryson DeChambeau – could have managed.
And he was not even referring to the famous 15th hole shot this time.
"17 was very interesting, he hit a very conservative tee shot," Harrington stated.
"I wouldn't have been able to play the hole that way. Justin Rose wasn't able to play the hole that way.
"The reality is Justin Rose didn't want 190 yards into the green on 17. Rory handled that because he's one of the few players who can hit an iron into the clouds to get it to stop.
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"Let's face it, most players would have been hitting a six or seven iron from where Rory was. It was a very conservative play off the tee, but the second shot was the opposite.
"Himself and Bryson were the only two players in the field capable of hitting that shot."
While McIlroy's approach on 15 rightly drew plenty of attention, Harrington made a valid point – his second shot into 17 played just as big a role in shaping his final round.
If he had not executed that moment perfectly when it mattered most, we might be telling a different story about who walked away with The Masters title last year.
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