The Round Table: Final thoughts on the 2025 Masters

Each week, we ask our panel of writers, PGA members and golf industry experts to weigh in with their views on the hot topics of the day.

Rory McIlroy finally won the Masters and completed his career Grand Slam. He didn’t make it easy on himself and several times looked headed for disaster. What was your biggest takeaway from Rory’s victory?

Jim Deeks, Fairways Magazine (@jimdeeks): His strength of character, in the face of so many disasters!  He could have shot another 80 after that first double, he could’ve missed two shots from the trees on the front nine, he could’ve finished with five doubles after that chunk on 13, he could’ve been nauseous looking at the scoreboard and seeing Rose putting up birdie after birdie.  But he didn’t, he hung tough and hit some of the greatest shots under pressure that we’ve ever seen… like the second on 15, and the second on the playoff hole.  What a thrilling victory for a fantastic young man!!

Craig Loughry, Golf Ontario (@craigloughry): This win by Rory was purely an ugly one but entertaining for the rest of us. He battled his inner demons to finish it off, where in the past they seemed to get the better of him (like the quick exit after the US Open last year). He could have easily given up, but didn’t, you don’t win by accident. This should free him up, he could go on a tear, and we could see Rory 2.0 with 10 or so good golf years still ahead of him.

Michael Schurman, Master Professional / Hall of Fame Member, PGA of Canada: He didn’t exactly seize the moment; it seized him. Although he made several crucial putts on the back 9, he did some shaky things, too. In the playoff, the Golf Gods finally looked down and said, “OK, you’ve had enough. It looks like you aren’t going to take this on your own, so we’ll set it up so you can’t botch it any further” and KAZAM, a perfect drive and perfect PW to 18″.

TJ Rule, Golf Away ours (@GolfAwayTJ): Wow, what a Sunday.  Rory took us on the greatest roller coaster ride in recent memory, and it’s hard to imagine how difficult this would have been on him had he not closed it out.  My biggest takeaway is that Rory gets so defensive with the lead and doesn’t have that Tiger killer instinct and never runs away from the field.  Or at least not in the past 10 years or so.  But when he’s behind or tied, he gets aggressive and hits great shots, like his two full shots in the playoff.  I feel for Rose, what a class act, but so glad Rory finally gets to don the green jacket, it was well overdue.

Hal Quinn, Freelance Writer, Vancouver:  Relief. That was an agonizing Sunday with too many flash backs of Norman. Nance overworks ‘one for the ages’ but this one was not one of the aged. He could not have beat a finer sportsman, and DeChambeau in the distance made it all the sweeter.

Peter Mumford, Fairways Magazine (@FairwaysMag): I thought Sunday was going to be a heavyweight bout between the two best power players in men’s golf: Rory and Bryson. But after BDC faltered, it was primarily a bout between Rory and Rory. Fascinating study in overcoming demons, pressure and finding a deep, deep reserve that he could draw on in the playoff. Kudos also to Justin Rose who was almost the bad guy in this Rory theatre, and despite what must have been another painful runner-up finish, demonstrated incredible sportsmanship and class.

Obviously, there can only be one winner of the golf tournament, but non-winners measure their performance too and take away positives that can help them in future attempts. Which player exits Augusta with the most positives, even if they don’t have a green jacket to show for their efforts?

Deeks: Well, Justin Rose should hold his head as high as Rory’s.  But for one putt (Rory’s last), Rosie played like a true champion, and if it hadn’t been Rory, the world would be just as jubilant today if Justin had won.  Yes, time’s running out for Justin, but I don’t count him out for another major (or two) before he’s done.

Loughry: It has to be Rose. At 44, he proved he still has the game to win, especially at Augusta. I certainly hope he takes this momentum and plays well the rest of the year.

Schurman: There are 3. Cory Conners. Ludvig Aberg and Justin Rose. Cory had to feel what it takes to contend. Aberg will win at Augusta perhaps several times. Rose holed the winning putt in his mind.

Rule: I honestly think Justin Rose, despite the disappointment of losing the playoff, has the most positives to take away from the week, particularly the Sunday.  He made 10 birdies on a day when the leaders struggled to break par, he birdied 18 to get into a playoff and hit two great shots in the playoff.  He didn’t lose it, Rory won it.  He’s not finished second in the last two majors, and played well on Sunday in both, so let’s hope he gets another chance at a major this year, he’s due to close one out.

Quinn: Couldn’t find the stat, but the combined missed birdie putts by Aberg and Connors must be a record. At least Aberg gave them a chance. Connors should spend half his earnings on a putting coach.

Mumford: Rose for sure. Two seconds in the last two majors at the age of 44. He’s not done yet. Also Bryson, whose record in majors continues to be among the best in golf and who should probably be the most feared contender heading to Quail Hollow and beyond.

For the past 11 years, the biggest storyline heading into the Masters was Rory’s chase of his career Grand Slam. Now that the book has been closed on that one, what Masters story will you be focused on in 2026?

Deeks: The next Canadian champion.  I hope it’s Conners, but I’d be just as thrilled if it was Hughes, Pendrith, Taylor, or Hadwin.

Loughry: The new storyline will be if Rory can repeat. That’s all anyone is going to talk about next year, guaranteed (with a sidebar discussion of Tiger if he somehow comes back to play).

Schurman: Can he repeat?

Rule: Obviously it will be Tiger returning to contention at the age of 50, right?  Right?  I have to be right; it’s just bound to be the case.  I’ll continue to dream,

Quinn: As Rory and his friends from that part of the world would say “at the moment” it matters naught. There may be an interesting scenario develop, but for now, this is a time for savouring.

Mumford: From a sentimental POV, we’ll likely be talking about the resurrection of Tiger, the return of Spieth and a McIlroy repeat. Or maybe we’ll be looking at solving mysteries like: where’s Schauffele, where’s Morikawa, what’s wrong with Scheffler? But my best guess is the focus will be on how do you stop Bryson, who could be working on a Tiger Slam of his own by then.