Joyous scenes at McIlroy’s hometown club after members endure night of drama

Five hours of unbearable sporting agony gave way to scenes of unbridled joy as crowds at Rory McIlroy’s home club in Co Down celebrated his dramatic Masters victory.

After a night when members at Holywood Golf Club endured an emotional rollercoaster like no other, the clubhouse erupted as the local hero sank his birdie putt at the first play-off hole at Augusta National to finally capture a long sought green jacket and enter golfing immortality as a winner of the career grand slam of major titles.

There were tears and cheers as club stalwarts embraced, while junior members who dream of emulating their hometown champion chanted his name.

Members of Rory McIlroy’s Holywood Golf Club in County Down celebrate as he wins the 2025 US Masters (Liam McBurney/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Liam McBurney

The celebrations were a marked contrast to the sombre mood inside the club earlier in the night during the agonising moments of McIlroy’s final round when he looked to have blown his chances of glory.

Club captain Trevor Heaven said he had a feeling that 2025 was going to be McIlroy’s year.

“We’re so proud – this is immense for Holywood Golf Club,” he said.

Rory McIlroy hailed a ‘dream come true’ after beating Justin Rose in a play-off to win the 89th Masters and finally complete the career grand slam (Matt Slocum/PA)Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved - Matt Slocum

“When I took on the captain role I got my green jacket, and I always said, ‘if I get my green jacket, Rory will come after me’.”

Former lady captain Paula Denvir said she kept faith that Holywood’s most famous son would prevail in the end.

“It was so well deserved and we’re all just so proud, we’re just so made up for him,” she said.

“He just deserved this so much. There were tears of joy all over the place tonight and there was stunned silence too. Everybody is in bits. We’re so delighted for him. It was brilliant.

Members endured an emotional rollercoaster (Liam McBurney/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Liam McBurney

“I’d every confidence in him, I don’t know what it was about this year, I just thought ‘he’ll do this, this was it’. And I’m really glad he proved me right. I’m so delighted.

“For Holywood this is unbelievable. He’s always been there, he’s always been an ambassador, he’s always been a supporter of the club. He has supported everything, he’s supported charities, my charity last year – The Friends of the Cancer Centre.

“He’s just an unbelievable ambassador for everywhere – for Holywood, for Northern Ireland, for Ireland, just across the board. And everybody should be just so proud.”

Club captain Trevor Heaven, club president Tony Denvir with his wife and former captain Paula Denvir (Liam McBurney/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Liam McBurney

Mrs Denvir’s husband Tony is the club president at Holywood.

She joked that, unlike her, he had the foresight to book a day off on Monday in anticipation of a draining Sunday night.

Mr Denvir described the scenes in the club as “incredible”.

“It’s hard to put into words to be quite honest with you, and it’s such a great achievement,” he said.

“Yeah, it’s taken a wee while to do it. We all thought he was going to do it many years ago. It’s taken a wee while, but he’s got there in the end.

“And it’s just absolutely unbelievable. For the whole country and for the game of golf in Northern Ireland – it’s just fantastic.”