Remember 1998. Back when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were friends? A misplaced bet and an unintentional prank resulted in a silent Cold War-type feud between two great golfers of their generation. During a practice round ahead of the Nissan Open, the duo had placed a $500 wager on their respective victories. Mickelson won, and took the humiliation a notch further, putting photocopies of the bills Woods gave him inside the Big Cat’s locker with a note that said, “Just wanted you to know Benji and his friends are very happy in their new home.” It was nearly twenty years later that they played another practice round together. But now, the 2025 Masters has given them the chance to agree on something.
Rory McIlroy’s victory has delighted both multiple Masters winners. Tiger Woods’s official congratulatory statement read, “Welcome to the club @McIlroyRory. Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special. Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you’re a part of history. Proud of you!”
Welcome to the club @McIlroyRory. Completing the grand slam at Augusta is something special. Your determination during this round, and this entire journey has shown through, and now you’re a part of history. Proud of you!
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 14, 2025
Not to be outdone, Phil Mickelson also took to X to share a congratulatory message for the Northern Irish golfer. “What an incredible Masters. Congrats to Rory on his win and for completing the career grand slam. Amazing.”
What in incredible Masters
Congrats to Rory on his win and for completing the career grand slam. Amazing
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) April 13, 2025
Safe to say, McIlroy’s victory at Augusta is doing a lot of good for the world of golf, but it was not without its climax that put the golf world on the edge of its seats.
Rory McIlroy’s grand finish at Augusta
McIlroy started the day with a solid 2-stroke lead over second-placed Bryson DeChambeau. He started with a difficult double bogey on hole 1 itself, leading many to believe that the Northern Irish golfer could choke again. But he fought back into the game, registering 4 birdies from holes 3 to 10, taking what looked like an unassailable lead.
DeChambeau had slipped meanwhile, allowing Justin Rose, who led the pack on day 1 and day 2 to make a bid for the green jacket. McIlroy however, was competing against himself and slipped yet again. Over the next 4 holes, the 29-time PGA Tour winner carded a double bogey and two bogeys, putting himself in a precarious position. He fought back yet again with two birdies and headed to the last hole with a one-stroke advantage over Rose.
Another difficult bogey tied the game between the UK golfers, which meant that the 2025 Masters will be decided by a playoff. The Holly, the 18th Hole at Augusta was the stage, and McIlroy after nearly 11 years of waiting clinched his fifth major and his first-ever Masters title thanks to a birdie. Rose could only make par.
What a game! and what a day at Augusta!
The post Phil Mickelson & Tiger Woods Finally Agree on Something After Unexpected Chaos at the Masters appeared first on EssentiallySports.