2025 Masters Preview – Can McIlroy Complete the Grand Slam at Augusta?

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Historic Win Secures Masters Invitation

24 year old Joe Highsmith, made the cut on the number at the Cognizant Classic, then shot back to back 64s to take home the trophy, a 2 year PGA Tour exemption, an invite to The Masters and more than doubled his career earnings in the process. Awesome! pic.twitter.com/dt7tE47n0y

— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) March 3, 2025

Joe Highsmith delivered a stunning final round at the Cognizant Classic, carding a 7-under 64 to overturn a four-shot deficit and claim his maiden PGA Tour victory in dramatic fashion.

His 64-64 weekend set a tournament record for the lowest closing 36-hole score since the event moved to PGA National in 2007. The two-shot win not only cements his breakthrough on the PGA Tour but also earns him a coveted place at the Masters, along with entry into the remaining five signature events of the season.

Highsmith’s triumph was all the more remarkable given the pressure he faced just to make the cut. A crucial par putt on Friday kept him in the tournament, and he never looked back.

Knapp’s Collapse Opens the Door

Overnight leader Jake Knapp, who made history with an opening-round 59, saw his hopes of a wire-to-wire victory unravel on the back nine.

Leading by one on the 11th, Knapp found the water, took two shots to escape, and walked away with a devastating triple bogey. The setback saw him tumble down the leaderboard, eventually settling for a tie for sixth.

Junior Bridgeman (64) and J.J. Spaun (68) finished as joint runners-up, while Ireland’s Shane Lowry closed with a 67 to secure a tie for 11th.

Lydia Ko Dominates in Singapore for 23rd LPGA Title

Fast Start Seals HSBC Women’s World Championship

Lydia Ko showcased her class with a flawless final round to capture her first HSBC Women’s World Championship title in Singapore.

The New Zealander, playing in the tournament for the 11th time, began the day with a one-shot lead and wasted no time in extending it, reeling off three consecutive birdies from the sixth hole to take control.

A composed 3-under 69 saw her finish four shots clear of Jeeno Thitikul (70) and Ayaka Furue (68), marking her 23rd career LPGA victory.

Hull’s Challenge Fades

Charley Hull, who started just one shot behind Ko, saw her chances slip away with a disappointing 74, finishing in a tie for fourth alongside Im Jin Hee, who posted the best round of the day with a 67, and Gaby Lopez (70).

Ko’s victory adds to an already glittering career that includes an Olympic gold medal and LPGA Hall of Fame status, reaffirming her place among the game’s elite.

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McIlroy sealed his 20th PGA Tour win, which granted him lifetime membership with a one-shot win over Collin Morikawa after a strong final two days at The Summit Club in Las Vegas.

The Northern Irish golfer was nine shots off the lead heading into the weekend but a 10-under 62 on Saturday brought him into the race ahead of the final day and a score of 66 saw him beat out the challengers.

Rickie Fowler was the leader heading into Sunday and was paired with McIlroy for the day but missed several important putts and was eclipsed by McIlroy and Morikawa, tied with Keith Mitchell for third.

McIlroy built upon his Sunday form at the Ryder Cup where he won his singles match to salvage an otherwise poor tournament individually.

The competition veteran had lost all three of his matches in the first two days and the one point he scored was the lowest total he had managed at a single Ryder Cup.

“It was huge. It really was. I was really disappointed with how I played [at the Ryder Cup],” he said in his greenside interview with PGA Tour.

“There was a lot of reflection in the last couple of weeks. This is what I need to do. I need to play golf, I need to simplify it. I need to just be me. I think for the last few months I was maybe trying to be someone else to try and get better.

“I realised that being me is enough, and being me I can do things like this.”

The 32-year-old becomes the 39th player to win 20 events on the tour and has won the same amount of events on the calendar as Phil Mickelson did at his age, excluding majors.

It’s the fifth season in a row that the golfer from Down has won an event and the seventh time he has won at least twice in a calendar year.

McIlroy’s lifetime membership will begin after he completes 15 years as a Tour member – his first Tour was in 2010.

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The hosts will be aiming to win the Ryder Cup back after losing out to Europe in 2018 by seven points.

Europe, on the other hand, have dominated proceedings since the turn of century with all but two instalments of the famous competition ending in their favour.

The first two days of the competition is played with four-ball and foursome matches with the home captain selecting the order.

In four-ball, each side has a two-man team in a given match and each competitor plays their own ball. Whichever golfer has the lowest score on a hole secures a point for their team.

In foursome, players on a two-man team take alternating shots. Whichever duo combines for the lowest score on a hole secures a point for their team.

The final round of competition is played in a singles format. Twelve singles matches will take place with each golfer facing a member of the opposing team head to head.

28 points are on offer for the two teams with 14.5 enough to secure a win but the holders only need 14.

Steve Stricker and Pádraig Harrington succeed Jim Furyk and Thomas Bjorn as captains of the two teams and the latter will be hoping to emulate Bjorn’s success.

Harrington and his vice-captains opted to bring Shane Lowry, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia to Whistling Straits alongside the automatic qualifiers.

Lowry will make his debut in the famous competition this weekend while Poulter and Garcia have history with it.

The pair have been top points scorers in the Ryder Cup three times each and bring their veteran experience to Team Europe.

Tommy Fleetwood and Lee Westwood are other players who have had strong Ryder Cup campaigns in the past that are involved with the side once more.

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm has had a strong year and could be the key for this European side in their hunt for a second Ryder Cup in a row.

In the red corner, 2018 captain Furyk returns as one of Stricker’s vice-captains alongside Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Zach Johnson and Davis Love III.

Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau will have to put whatever differences they have aside for the benefit of the team.

Patrick Reed, who played a big role in recent campaigns for the Americans, is not on the team this year.

However, they have no shortage of world-class golfers with Justin Spieth, Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay looking to expand on strong years.

The USA have hinted at the use of a pod system over the week – the concept of the pod system groups four players together, who will then interchange pairings within that group throughout the first two days of the Ryder Cup.

Thomas, Spieth, DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler is a potential pod that Stricker could deploy after the quartet practiced together in midweek.

Harrington has chopped and changed the European practice groups, thus the intentions of Team Europe do not seem as clear.

Teams

Team USA: Daniel Berger, Patrick Cantlay, Bryson De Chambeau, Harris English, Tony Finau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas.

Captain: Steve Stricker

Vice-captains: Fred Couples, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson.

Team Europe: Paul Casey, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, Tyrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Jon Rahm, Bernd Weisberger, Lee Westwood.

Captain: Pádraig Harrington

Vice-captains: Luke Donald, Robert Karlsson, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Henrik Stenson.

Schedule

Odds

Team USA 4/9

Tie 11/1 – Europe 9/5 to lift the trophy

Team Europe 5/2

Where To Watch

Sky Sports have the rights to the competition in Ireland and coverage will start at 1 pm on Friday and Saturday and 5 pm on Sunday.

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Lowry is one of three wildcards and is set to make his Team Europe debut alongside Ryder Cup veterans Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter in this year’s instalment of the competition.

The Irish golfer had missed out on the automatic spots after a 17th-placed finish at the BMW PGA Championship.

The 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year needed to finish in the top eight of the tournament to earn an automatic spot after Bernd Weisberger and Lee Westwood did enough at Wentworth.

However, all three will be teammates for the Ryder Cup after Harrington announced his choices on Sunday evening.

Lowry said to Sky Sports: “It’s been a career-long dream to play in the Ryder Cup. I remember when the points race started, I said it was my number one goal and it has been for the last two years.

“I’m just incredibly proud of what I have achieved. But there’s no point going over there to make up the numbers. I want to win points and help bring the cup back.”

The Offaly native will be one of three rookies partaking in their maiden Ryder Cup tournament for Harrington’s team.

Weisberger and Viktor Hovland will also make their debuts against Team USA this year after earning automatic qualifications.

However, although the rookie tag is placed on Lowry for this competition, the 34-year-old will come into the tournament with major-winning experience.

“He is a rookie but nobody thinks of him as a rookie,” Harrington said on Sky Sports after announcing his picks.

“He’s a major champion, a World Golf Championship winner. If I’ve picked a rookie it’s probably because they have delivered twice to get in the team.”

The 2021 Ryder Cup will take place from Friday, September 24 to Sunday, September 26.

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This morning, Electronic Arts Inc. and the PGA TOUR announced upcoming enhancements and additions available at the launch of EA SPORTS PGA TOUR via their long-term partnership.

This includes news that the full FedExCup will be returning to the game in a grand way through ultra-realistic additions of all three events and host courses.

There will also be new additions for career mode along with real-life golf data being integrated into the development of the game, which is launching in spring 2022.

“The PGA TOUR is excited that our fans will be able to experience the FedExCup Playoffs and ShotLink powered by CDW on EA SPORTS PGA TOUR,” said Len Brown, PGA TOUR Chief Legal Officer.

“EA SPORTS ensures an authentic and realistic experience as players accumulate points for their chance to compete in their own virtual FedExCup Playoffs.”

Patty Ice. pic.twitter.com/r2I5Ditg3W

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 29, 2021

All three events that make up the FedExCup Playoffs in 2022 will be playable at launch in EA SPORTS PGA TOUR. Many host courses will be featured including the TPC Southwind in Memphis; Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware; and East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

PGA TOUR golfers will be authentically replicated in EA SPORTS PGA TOUR like never before with ShotLink powered by CDW, the PGA TOUR’s proprietary real-time scoring system.

ShotLink offers revolutionary data capture technology from every golfer’s shot – measuring digital information from PGA TOUR players and comparing the data with fans playing the video game.

TrackMan measurement solution’s data is also being incorporated into the game to add an additional layer of authenticity by allowing EA’s game designers to perfect gameplay and numerous stats such as club tuning.

“Getting my first PGA TOUR win at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational was a culmination of years of hard work and training, and it’s exciting to know that EA SPORTS PGA TOUR players can feel the same thrill that I did winning at TPC Southwind,” said Abraham Ancer.

“Getting the chance to compete against the best golfers in the world in the FedExCup is a dream experience, and it is incredibly exciting to know that EA SPORTS PGA TOUR players will get to feel the intensity of the tournament on all three authentic host courses.”

Last event of the season! Coming into the @playofffinale at No. 8⃣#TeamAncer pic.twitter.com/Q2U6pKFQjV

— Abraham Ancer (@Abraham_Ancer) September 1, 2021

True to the real-life PGA TOUR season, players will be able to earn FedEx Cup points throughout the in-game Career Mode for a chance to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Career mode will also see the return of the Korn Ferry Tour, adding another layer of depth to the game that will allow players to hone their skills before joining the PGA TOUR.

EA SPORTS PGA TOUR is the exclusive home of all four of golf’s major championships: Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open Championship, and The Open.

In addition to playing the major championships, golf fans can build a legendary career as they authentically compete at THE PLAYERS Championship while experiencing the unique atmosphere and venues of each tournament.

Players will also be able to compete at The Amundi Evian Championship, one of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour’s five major championships and will have the opportunity to play as several female athletes as well as create a female golfer of their own in the newly overhauled Create-A-Player feature.

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With a round of 68 for Lowry, he moves to 10-under and into a tie for 9^th while McIlroy sits 1 shot further ahead on 11-under after a round of 67.

Playing alongside each other, the pair both started the day on 7-under par and McIlroy admits it was a great way to stay relaxed.

“I was sort of trying to keep pace with him on the front 9, he got off to a great start,” explained McIlroy.

“Then it sort of felt like he was trying to keep pace with me on the back, he got unlucky on 14 with the ball getting stuck up the tree. It was really good to play with him, we fed off each other, we kept it really relaxed out there like it’s been all week.

“It would have been great to get to play with one another again tomorrow but it looks like we’re probably going to be a group apart, but it was good fun and I think it was good for both of us to keep us relaxed.”

Despite playing as individuals and not necessarily as a team, both players were keen to support one another and cheer each other on.

Lowry noted that although they are playing against each other, he wants to see two Irish flags on the first page of the leaderboard.

McIlroy sits just three shots off the lead which is held by Xander Schauffele of the United States on 14-under par – his plan for tomorrow’s final round is simple.

“Give it my all. It’s the last opportunity to do this for another three years – usually, it’s four – so it’s just to go out there and give it my all. Leave it all out there and hopefully, it’s enough.”

 Lowry too, although slightly further back, is just three shots short of a bronze medal place and feels he has even better golf in him still.

Lowry has made 15 birdies across the first three rounds of the Olympic tournament and limited the number of bogeys to five.

The Offaly golfer does not feel like he’s playing at his best but added that he senses that that he can get a low score tomorrow.

“I know I shot a good score yesterday but I feel like I have a low score in me out there and wouldn’t it be a great day for it to happen tomorrow?,” the Irishman said.

“I’m looking forward to it, I hope I can play my best golf tomorrow. If I do, I do, and if I don’t then I don’t – but one thing’s for certain I’m going to give it my best shot.”

Lowry held a significant 25ft putt on the 18^th green to save par, in his mind, it could be an important one come tomorrow afternoon.

“I was very happy with that putt on the last, I feel like that was huge for me, it would have made my evening a little more disappointing than it is if I had missed. Three-under is not the greatest score out there, but it’s still decent and I’ve got a chance to do something very special tomorrow and I’m excited about it.”

To see the two golfers’ tee times for the final round, click here.

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Team Ireland golfers Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are in the mix for medals heading into round four of the tournament.

McIlroy is tied-fifth on 11-under-par and is three off tournament leader Xander Schauffele and one shot off the bronze medal position.

Lowry is one shot behind his Team Ireland teammate on 10-under and the pair will be hoping to continue the climb they started in round two with a medal or two for Team Ireland within reach.

There were birdies aplenty for the two golfers but also several bogeys to keep them outside of the top three after three rounds.

McIlroy managed six birdies with a very impressive score of 33 on the front nine but the Northern Irish golfer had problems on the final few holes once again.

Lowry looked to be on a clear path to the top of the leaderboard after eight holes but his momentum was stopped by on the ninth hole.

His form waned on the back nine with a bogey on the par-5 hole 14 that summed up a frustrating end to what could have been a very strong day.

Nevertheless, the pair are still in contention for Olympic medals as they prepare for the final round and they will be confident in their abilities after producing some impressive golf in the last two rounds.

Rory McIlroy will tee-off for the final time at Kasumigaseki Country Club at approximately 2:58 am alongside two other podium challengers, Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz and Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz.

Shane Lowry will begin his final round just over twenty minutes earlier than his Team Ireland counterpart.

The Offaly golfer will tee-off at 2:36 am with Mexico’s Abraham Ancer and New Zealand’s Cameron Smith in his group.

McIlroy is currently 10/1 to go all the way in the tournament with Shane Lowry eighth-favourite at 28/1.

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Now at the halfway stage, McIlroy and Lowry’s rounds of 66 and 65 respectively have seen them move up the leaderboard after an unspectacular first day.

Overnight, the pair sat in tied 31^st and tied 20^th place respectively and were determined to make a move towards the medal positions.

The Team Ireland duo are currently tied for 7^th and right into the mix heading into the weekend with some play from round two still to finish tomorrow after a weather stoppage.

“It felt good, it didn’t feel much different to yesterday,” said McIlroy, who opened with a round of 69.

“I felt like I played well yesterday, I just didn’t score as good as I could have and I think that’s why I came off the course maybe not as disappointed as I would have been because I knew that the good golf was in there and it was nice to see some of that good golf today.”

Ranked 13^th in the Official World Golf Rankings, McIlroy drove the green on the 294-yard par 4 6^th, before sending his eagle attempt 15 feet by.

Holing the return effort, it was the start of a nice run that saw him make the turn on 6-under par.

“It was a momentum starter, I three-putted that green yesterday so I was sort of thinking of that as well,” he laughed.

“It was nice to hole that one coming back and it certainly gave me some momentum going to the 7^th, that tee shot there was good and the eagle on the 8^th was great. There are a few holes here that the length off the tee is an advantage and that is one of them.”

Play resumed at 6.20 am after a second weather stoppage of the tournament at 3:57 am, and neither McIlroy’s nor Lowry’s momentum was dampened as they both carded birdies on the restart.

“Golf’s a funny game,” Lowry reflected afterwards.

“I started off lovely and just sort of had that momentum for the whole day then. Especially when I came out after the delay. I holed a lovely putt on 13, an eight or nine-footer, and then from there, I just played lovely for the rest of the day.

“I actually missed a short one on 17, which would have been nice to hole, but I’m happy with my score and very happy that I have a chance to do something special over the weekend.”

Xander Schauffele (USA) set the pace on 11-under with Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz, Chile’s Mito Periera, Alex Noren of Sweden and Austria’s Sepp Straka also within touching distance of those elusive medal positions.

The two Irish golfers are also close to Schauffele and the pack leaders and will look to close down that gap over the next two rounds.

Lowry wants to keep the momentum going and climb up that leaderboard again.

“Same thing, stay patient and try and make as many birdies as I can. The worst thing you can do is go out there and be really aggressive and make silly mistakes because at the end of the day, we’re only playing for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd this week and that’s what it’s all about.

“I just want to get off to a good start tomorrow, shoot a good score and get in the mix for Sunday. That’s what I’ve been wanting since The Open has finished. My full mindset has been just about putting my head down and trying to get myself into contention on Sunday of the Olympics – that even seems weird to say that! Hopefully that happens.”

Play was suspended for a second time at 09.30 am, and will not be resumed this evening, so the Irish pairing will have to wait until tomorrow morning for the third round draw.

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McIlroy shot five-under-par to fire himself into medal contention in the final two rounds after an unspectacular first day.

Lowry went one better with a six-under Friday to go level with his Team Ireland teammate in joint-fourth.

McIlroy’s 18-hole performance was erratic at times but the Northern Irish golfer impressed overall on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Golf tournament.

Furthermore, McIlroy was comfortable and composed for much of the day with a strong first nine putting him in a good position before play was stopped due to the weather after 12 holes.

He parred the first five holes and followed them up with two birdies in a row and an eagle on the par-five eighth hole.

A bogey on hole 11 threatened to dampen his day but McIlroy’s response was strong, coming back with a birdie on 12 and following it up with two birdies after play was resumed.

His swings were strong but proved detrimental to McIlroy on several occasions.

The tee shot on 15 went awry and forced the World Number 13 into a tough situation that he only got out of with a bit of luck.

His third shot on the final hole had too much power and missed the green, leading to the Olympian’s bogey to finish proceedings for the day.

Shane Lowry also had a strong second round to put himself firmly in contention for a medal, something that he desires.

Lowry never managed to eagle a hole but seven birdies across his round saw the Offalyman shoot up the leaderboard.

Holes six to eight on the first nine saw 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year score three birdies in a row but a bogey on nine threatened to settle down the hot streak.

It failed and Lowry posted an even better back nine to end the day with a score of 65 and sits on seven-under in the tournament.

Three birdies in the space of four holes towards the end of his 18 holes sent a statement to his opposition that he’s coming for the medal he wants.

Tee times for the final two rounds are set to be announced after round two ends.

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