Jordan Spieth Explains Why Rory McIlroy Will Have Been Frustrated During Masters Final Round
Jordan Spieth Explains Why Rory McIlroy Will Have Been Frustrated During Masters Final Round
Jordan Spieth has offered insight into a key detail from the final round of the 2025 Masters that he believes would have left Rory McIlroy feeling frustrated as he once again saw his dream of a career Grand Slam slip away at Augusta.
The three-time major winner suggested that course conditions on Sunday were particularly tough, especially for players trying to chase the leaders — a situation McIlroy found himself in. According to Spieth, the layout and pin positions in round four made it exceptionally difficult to score low, which would have been crucial for McIlroy, who started the day several shots back.
“I think Rory will have been a little annoyed, to be honest,” Spieth said after his round. “It felt like the course was set up in a way that didn’t really allow for much of a charge. Pins were tucked, greens were firmer, and the wind picked up just enough to make things uncomfortable. When you need a special round, like Rory did, those changes don’t help.”
McIlroy, who has been chasing the final piece of his major collection since 2015, looked sharp early in the tournament but couldn’t find the spark needed on Sunday. While he avoided major mistakes, he also couldn’t generate the birdie streak necessary to climb the leaderboard, finishing well off the pace once again.
Spieth’s remarks highlight a long-standing debate about how Augusta National approaches its Sunday setup. While the final round is known for drama and iconic moments, it’s also often marked by a setup that rewards control and penalizes aggression — a fact that can frustrate those trying to make up ground.
As for McIlroy, it’s another year of what-ifs at Augusta, and according to Spieth, the course setup might just be one of the reasons why.
