"That patience paid off" – Rory McIlroy gets 100% real about ending 17-year long Masters drought on The Tonight Show

Rory McIlroy had once vowed that he wouldn’t attend The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon before winning the Masters. Now that he has won one, he was a guest on the latest episode on Thursday, May 1.

During the recent episode of the popular late-night show, McIlroy spoke about his 17-year-long resilience for the green jacket. He said that it took him some time, but he got there in the end.

While speaking to Fallon, Rory McIlroy revealed what he was thinking just after winning at Augusta National and completing his career Grand Slam.

"I'm just thinking, "Thank goodness that is over," he said. "So yeah, it was my 17th time playing the tournament. On my third time playing, way back in 2011, I had a four-shot lead going into the final round, but I wasn’t able to win. So it had been 14 years since that, 11 years trying to achieve the career Grand Slam."

"And I'd go back every year, and I'd put my positive hat on. I’d go with a good attitude. And every time I'd leave on that Sunday night and it wouldn't happen, you start to think, 'Is it ever going to be your time? Did I miss it? Have I lost my opportunity?' I think there's a good message in there about never giving up, keep coming back, be strong, be resilient. That patience paid off," he added.

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Before his win this year, the closest McIlroy went to the elusive green jacket was in 2022, when he finished in second place, behind Scottie Scheffler by three strokes.

How has Rory McIlroy fared at the Masters over the years?

Rory McIlroy poses with the trophy after winning The Masters 2025 (Image Source: Getty)

The Masters 2025 was Rory McIlroy's 17th appearance at the Masters Tournament, where he eventually ended his nearly eleven-year-long major drought. Overall, he has made 14 cuts at Augusta National and posted seven top-10 finishes.

Here's a look at Rory McIlroy's results at the Masters over the years:

2009: T20, -2 (72, 73, 71, 70)
2010: CUT, +7 (74, 77)
2011: T15, -4 (65, 69, 70, 80)
2012: T40, +5 (71, 69, 77, 76)
2013: T25, +2 (72, 70, 79, 69)
2014: T8, E (71, 77, 71, 69)
2015: 4, -12 (71, 71, 68, 66)
2016: T10, +1 (70, 71, 77, 71)
2017: T7, -3 (72, 73, 71, 69)
2018: T5, -9 (69, 71, 65, 74)
2019: T21, -5 (73, 71, 71, 68)
2020: T5, -11 (75, 66, 67, 69)
2021: CUT, +6 (76, 74)
2022: 2, -7 (73, 73, 71, 64)
2023: CUT, +5 (72, 77)
2024: T22, +4 (71, 77, 71, 73)
2025: P1, -11 (72, 66, 66, 73)

About the author

Shobhit is one of Sportskeeda’s most seasoned golf journalists, having already authored 3600+ articles and received nearly 5.7 million reads. Prior to his current role, he worked with the Asiana Times after completing his MSc in Geology, giving him a solid foundation in understanding the terrain, variety and challenges posed by various golf courses.

He is a keen follower of the sport and keeps himself updated about the latest trends, news and updates via social media and various news platforms. Shobhit is also methodical about accuracy, going through multiple articles from leading media houses and reputed sources before writing his own. Simultaneously, he specializes in writing reader-friendly content that conveys the necessary information in simple language.

Shobhit was a fan of Tiger Woods growing up, but of late, Nelly Korda, Scottie Scheffler and Ludvig Aberg have caught his attention.

He likes to spend his downtime singing and writing, while he is also an avid watcher of cricket and tennis.

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Edited by Shobhit Kukreti