EMMA PIRHALA / MANAGING EDITOR

As he approached the green of the last hole, a grin came across McIlroy’s face — a toothy smile of a back-to-back Masters champion. 

Art by Kyra Lefebvre

Held at Augusta National Golf  Club in Georgia, the Masters Tournament attracts golf   fans  to  the  greens  and  their screens every April. Toreros stuck to their TVs from April 8—12. Since 1934, the major championship has been a tradition unlike any other, hosting  the biggest names in golf while they go neck and neck for a signature green jacket — the most prized award in the game. 

Among the top players were Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose and defending champion Rory McIlroy. The Irishman won last year’s Masters after an 11-year fight to complete his masterpiece — a career grand slam. 

In golf, a grand slam is achieved by winning each of the four major championships: the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the Masters. McIlroy came out  of the gates blazing, finishing Friday’s play at 12 under par — six  strokes  lower  than  any other golfer on the leaderboard. The feat marks the largest gap after 36 holes in Masters’ history. 

Despite losing the lead on Saturday, McIlroy recovered and secured the win. 

USD senior Connor Duris watched the major tournament and saw McIlroy close the gap. 

“I’m happy for Rory going back to back at Augusta,” Duris said. “He mentioned it being easier to win again now that he already has and I can’t agree more. The pressure he felt for 11 years at Augusta was off of his back. This year he was able to play free and it showed… A part of me wanted him to make double bogey on 18 and see a playoff with Scottie Scheffer. However, at the end of the day to watch Rory go back to back for the first time since ’01-’02 Tiger was special.” 

McIlroy is now the fourth individual to win successive Masters tournaments. He is the first to do so in 24 years, since Tiger Woods accomplished the feat in 2002.

However, Woods was missing from this year’s tournament. The golfer withdrew following an SUV rollover crash on March 27. The accident resulted in another DUI charge for Woods. This follows his 2017 arrest and the  infamous 2009 crash leading to major public backlash. Woods released a statement  announcing  his  withdrawal  from the tournament on March 31. 

“I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health,” Woods said on his social media channels. “This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”

Another prominent golfer was missing from this year’s Masters. San Diego native Phil Mickelson backed out just days before, citing a family health matter. Mickelson designed USD’s Purcell Family Championship Golf Practice Facilities.

The tournament kicked off on April 7 with the Champions Dinner which honored McIlroy. As tradition is, the previous year’s winner curates a menu based upon their own tastes. McIlroy’s menu included peach and ricotta flatbread, a choice of wagyu filet mignon and a sticky toffee pudding. 

Some were surprised by the menu and its lack of Irish influence. However, McIlroy quipped back at hecklers. 

“People keep asking me, ‘Why didn’t you go more Irish,” McIlroy shared in a press conference. “And I said, ‘Because I want to enjoy the dinner as well.’”

Students not only watched the rounds, but also bet on them. 

Although the most watched event in golf is over, the three remaining  major  championships will take place later in the year. McIlroy will continue to bask in the glory of the win and look toward a third win next year.

McIlroy walks the green in pursuit of victory. Photo courtesy of @pgatour/Instagram