Follow live coverage of the 89th Masters from the start of tournament preparation through Sunday's final round

At four-under heading to the 15th tee on Thursday, McIlroy looked poised to make another run at his first green jacket and career grand slam. Then the World No. 2 proceeded to double bogey two of his last four holes, declining media requests after his disastrous finish which saw seven shots off the pace set by leader Justin Rose.

At this point, we have no one but ourselves to blame when Rory McIlroy rolls our hopes into Rae’s Creek. We’ve had our hearts broken and our hopes shattered so many times, whether at St. Andrews or Los Angeles or Pinehurst or right here in Augusta.

Rory McIlroy dropped four shots in his final four holes during the first round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National.

Two late double bogeys sent McIlroy plummeting down the leaderboard in a Masters where all eyes are on him, and the SI Golf team wonders if he can recover.

Gary Player, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, who served as the honorary starters for the year's first major, all picked Rory McIlroy to win the Masters.