Rory McIlroy’s Augusta National victory was a worldwide event.
And it makes sense that his home club of Holywood Golf Club in Co Down, Northern Ireland, would treat this win like the Super Bowl, Oscars and “White Lotus” finale combined. What else would you expect?
The Rory roar. Scenes of joy in Holywood Golf Club in Co Down as its most famous member sinks the putt that wins #themasters and makes #rorymcilroy a Grand Slam champion @rtenews pic.twitter.com/zBfeUwPvZt
— Vincent Kearney (@vincekearney) April 13, 2025
As you can so clearly see, the Holywood members lost their minds when the final putt dropped – especially considering the anticipation after McIlroy couldn’t finish the job on the 72nd hole – from jumping up and down to bearhugs to perhaps a teardrop or two. It’s pure joy and just another small piece from an extraordinary (and exhausting) day.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable for somebody from Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, to win the Grand Slam of golf,” Holywood Golf Club President Tony Denvir told The Independent.
“There’s only been five players in the history of golf to do this. And for somebody from such a small town in a small country to do this is just absolutely unbelievable.
“We’ve all seen the clips of Rory hitting balls into the washing machine with his father as a youngster, and he was the youngest ever member here. To do what he’s done, you can’t really put it into words, to be honest with you.”
9-year-old Rory McIlroy chipping into a washing machine on Northern Irish talk show “Kelly” (1999) pic.twitter.com/8iYAK0qli2
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) April 13, 2025
If you’re a bit confused by the lack of alcohol in the celebration clip above, we were right there with you. Apparently, the bar had to close at 10pm due to the club’s bar licence, which is why, according to the BBC, “the last pints of beer and glasses of wine were served at Holywood Golf Club more than two hours before the dramatic golf tournament ended.”
There were still “tears of joy,” according to Paula Denvir, former ladies captain at Holywood Golf Club, along with some “stunned silence” too, during the most tense moments of the major. One club member remarked, “My stomach feels like Rory’s old washing machine,” after the missed putt on the 18th hole.
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Thankfully, for everyone’s sanity, McIlroy got it done on the 73rd hole at Augusta National, and he finally got the monkey off his back. He’ll be back in Northern Ireland to properly celebrate soon, and we’re betting the bar will stay open for as late as the green jacket winner wants.
“I was absolutely sick with nerves,” the club’s lady captain Ruth Watt admitted to the BBC. “We thought he had thrown it away, but it was an unbelievable finish. I’m going home for a gin and tonic.”
