The stats say these were the five best shots Rory McIlroy hit to win the 2025 Masters. Let’s take a look

At the 2025 Masters, Rory McIlroy hit 277 shots over 72 holes at Augusta National. It was enough to claim a spot in a playoff, where 3 more swings earned him a place in history, completing the career grand slam. Think back 12 months and there’s likely two or three shots McIlroy hit that you remember—his second shot on 15 on the Sunday, his approach into 18 in the playoff, or maybe his chip shot approach to the third hole on Sunday.

But what was the best shot he hit?

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I combed through all 277 shots and, thanks to DataGolf’s live stats tool, the strokes-gained value of each to compile a list of the five shots that were statistically the best that Rory hit en route to his Masters triumph.

5. Approach on 15, Round 3

After a five-under-par back nine on Friday, it was Saturday where McIlroy took a grip of the tournament. Claiming the lead early on the front nine, he kept the momentum going late in the afternoon, highlighted by this incredible approach to the 15th hole. Set up by a 330-yard drive, the 35-year old had just 200 yards into the par 5 and hit it to five feet. He’d go to make the eagle putt and build move four clear.

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Strokes gained: +1.01

• • • 4. Approach on 15, Round 4

I promise every shot on the list won’t be from the 15th hole. However, this one is worthy. McIlroy has referred to it as “one of the best shots I’ve hit in my career,” and it’s likely the first shot that comes to mind for the majority of fans. Having double bogeyed the 13th hole and bogeyed 14, McIlroy found himself without the solo lead for the first time in 30 holes. His drive on 15 was long but left, the trees seemingly blocking him from going for the green in two. Aiming some 50 yards right of the green, McIlroy tried it anyway, hitting a 7-iron from 207 yards, hooking it around the pines, landing on the front of the green and coming to rest just seven feet from the hole.

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“The shot of a lifetime” said Jim Nantz on the broadcast.

McIlroy would miss the putt, but the birdie allowed him to regain the lead (temporarily). And the the shot will live on as the lasting highlight of his remarkable week at Augusta.

Strokes gained: +1.02

• • • 3. Approach on 17, Round 4

Now, on the 71st hole of the tournament, McIlroy once again found himself tied with Justin Rose, who had just birdied the 18th hole. Admitting later that he struggled with the tee shot on 17 all week, McIlroy chose 3-wood and laid well back off the tee. He was one of only two players on Sunday to hit his tee shot less than 260 yards, with 197 yards left to the hole. Between clubs, McIlroy went with a hard 8-iron. Launching his approach sky high, the shot pitched inches beyond the false front, hopped forward and finished just two feet from the hole.

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He ultimately dropped a shot on the 72nd hole, leading to the playoff, but some believe this is the shot that won McIlroy the tournament.

Strokes gained: +1.10

• • • 2. Approach on 13, Round 2

Forgotten to many is this shot from the eventual champion on Friday afternoon. After making two double bogeys late Thursday, McIlroy was seven back starting his second round. He turned in one under and needed something to happen on the back nine to get in the hunt. He birdied 10, then 11 and parred 12 before finding the pine straw off the tee on the par-5 13th.

He had 190 yards to reach the front of the green and 202 yards to the pin. Again between clubs, debating with caddie Harry Diamond whether to hit 4- or 5-iron, McIlroy told the media he sensed the ball would come out of the pine straw with more spin and thus chose the longer club. He was glad he did as his ball carried inches onto the green and set-up a 10-foot eagle putt that moved him to five under par and inside the top 10 for the first time.

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Strokes gained: +1.26

• • • 1. Chip on 2, Round 3

I’m guessing this is not the shot you thought you’d see atop this list. Turns out, this was the moment McIlroy took the solo lead for the first time. After converting his birdie on the opening hole on Saturday, McIlroy hit his approach to the par-5 second hole between the green and patrons. Facing a tricky shot, with the green falling away from him, McIlroy pulled a wedge and hit a high, spinny chip that landed on the green, checked and trickled towards the hole. As the patrons slowly got out of the seats, the ball disappeared into the hole for eagle.

McIlroy never lost the lead again.

Strokes gained: +1.36