- McIlroy ended his Masters curse at Augusta to complete a career Grand Slam
- He became one of only five golfers in the Masters era to earn the achievement
- McIlroy’s success was celebrated in an advert by Nike hours after the fact
Nike serenaded Rory McIlroy in a new advert after his dramatic win at the 2025 Masters on Sunday.
McIlroy etched his name in golfing history after becoming only the fifth man to complete a career Grand Slam.
The Northern Irishman joined Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only golfers to capture the four major championships in the Masters era.
His dramatic victory in a play-off round against Justin Rose at Augusta saw him win the tournament for the first time at his 16th attempt, also ending his 11-year winning drought at the majors.
And Nike, who have sponsored McIlroy since 2013, released a compelling commercial hours after his achievement.
The 30-second video was released across the brand’s social media platforms, featuring the tagline: ‘Four majors made @rorymcilroy great. Completing a career Grand Slam, legendary.’
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 Masters success was celebrated by Nike in an epic new commercial
The 35-year-old ended his 11-year major slump to complete a career Grand Slam at Augusta
Pictured: 2024 Masters winner Scottie Scheffler helps McIlroy put on the iconic green jacket
The video appeared to be set in a dry cleaners, and shows a conveyor belt rotating jackets around until it lands on one with McIlroy’s name on it, which has a note that says: ‘Sunday pick up’.
The ‘Masters green’ colour can be seen all over the video and is a nod to the iconic green jacket given to the winner of the tournament each year, which McIlroy wore for the first time.
McIlroy’s historic win came on Sunday, hence the ‘Sunday pick up’ note on the jacket. The screen then turns black and displays the words: ‘This was always waiting for you.’
It is unknown whether Nike made the advert in the hours after McIlroy’s win or if they had it prepared in the event of his success, but it is likely the latter.
This was not the first time Nike has dedicated an advert to McIlroy. The sportswear brand released another advert ahead of the 2015 Masters, displaying the influence of Tiger Woods on McIlroy’s career.
The video began with the latter watching Woods win the US Amateur title in 1994, and showed his progression from a young golfer to a professional.
It then ends with McIlroy teeing off with Woods before walking down the fairway.
In 2017, Nike extended their partnership with McIlroy through a 10-year deal, valued at approximately $100million (£76m).
McIlroy described the feeling of winning the Masters after years of agony as ‘incredible’
Nike dedicated an advert to McIlroy in 2015 which showed Tiger Woods’ influence in his career
McIlroy’s victory closed the circle on his journey at Augusta which included plenty of near misses, not least the 2011 tournament when he blew a final-round lead.
It was no surprise to see tears in the world No 2’s eyes as the previous winner, 2024 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, helped him put on the iconic green jacket.
‘It feels incredible,’ said the 2025 champion after the fact.
‘This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time.
‘I’d say it was 14 years in the making, from going out with the four-shot lead in 2011 – feeling like I could have got it done there.
‘There was a lot of pent up emotion that just came out on the 18th green. But a moment like that makes all of the years and close calls worth it.’
