Phil Mickelson has responded to Rory McIlroy winning his second Masters title
Phil Mickelson has reacted to Rory McIlroy winning the Masters(Image: Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Golf legend Phil Mickelson has sent a message to Rory McIlroy following his Masters victory. McIlroy became just the fourth man to retain the title at Augusta National after a dramatic final round on Sunday.
There were early fears that the Masters could slip through his fingers after scoring a double-bogey at the fourth and another bogey on the sixth. However, McIlroy regained composure, scoring four birdies across the next seven holes, before signing off his one-under-par round with a decisive bogey putt.
The 36-year-old, who finished on 12-under, looked to be on course for an emphatic win after dominating the first two days. The Northern Irishman established a six-shot lead at the halfway mark but ultimately triumphed by one stroke as the pressure grew.
While he would not have enjoyed allowing his rivals to close the gap, it made for another enthralling spectacle, a year on from his playoff victory over Justin Rose. Three-time Masters winner Mickelson certainly appreciated watching the drama unfold at Augusta.
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McIlroy and Mickelson have become known for their opposing viewpoints on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf divide, with the latter joining LIV in 2022. McIlroy’s triumph saw him equal the 55-year-old’s six major wins and the American was full of praise for the champion.
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Writing on X, he posted: “Congrats to @McIlroyRory for an exciting @TheMasters win. Back to back is simply remarkable,” alongside two clapping emojis.
It is not the first time that Mickelson has used social media to commend McIlroy’s achievements. The LIV Golf star also celebrated McIlroy completing his career Grand Slam at Augusta last year.
In April 2025, he said on X: “What an incredible Masters. Congrats to Rory on his win and for completing the career grand slam. Amazing.”
McIlroy was rewarded with the £3.3million top prize and savoured his title defence. “It was a tough weekend but I’m so happy to hang in there and get the job done, he said. “I wanted to come back and prove last year wasn’t a fluke.”
The two-time winner admitted that he and caddie Harry Diamond had little to say ahead of his tee shot on the 18th as both knew what was required. In his victory speech, the Masters champion thanked his family for their role in his success.
“This is the hard part. I want to say a few thank yous to the people on my left. First and foremost, my wife and daughter, Erica and Poppy,” he said. “They have to put up with me at home and, trust me, sometimes that’s a tough thing to do. But they have been my biggest supporters.
“This has definitely turned into Poppy’s favourite week of the year. I don’t know if it’s because of the Par 3 Tournament or it’s the all-you-can-eat ice cream in the players’ services building.”
He added: “My mum and dad, they weren’t here last year to celebrate with us and I surprisingly I had to convince them to come this year, because they thought the only reason I won was because they weren’t here. So I’m glad we proved that wrong. But mum and dad I owe everything to you, you are the most wonderful parents, and if I can be half the parent to Poppy that you were to me I know I’ll have done a good job.”
