Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Freemasterful 'It’s taken a wee while': Holywood story as McIlroy's home golf club is put through the wringer McIlroy won the Masters in Georgia to claim the only major that had eluded him. 7.33am, 14 Apr 2025 Share options Holywood Golf Club, Co Down.Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo FIVE HOURS OF unbearable sporting agony gave way to scenes of unbridled joy as crowds at Rory McIlroy’s home club in Co Down celebrated his dramatic Masters victory. After a night when members at Holywood Golf Club endured an emotional rollercoaster like no other, the clubhouse erupted as the local hero sank his birdie putt at the first play-off hole at Augusta National to finally capture a long sought green jacket and enter golfing immortality as a winner of the career grand slam of major titles. The Rory roar. Scenes of joy in Holywood Golf Club in Co Down as its most famous member sinks the putt that wins #themasters and makes #rorymcilroy a Grand Slam champion @rtenews pic.twitter.com/zBfeUwPvZt— Vincent Kearney (@vincekearney) April 13, 2025 There were tears and cheers as club stalwarts embraced, while junior members who dream of emulating their hometown champion chanted his name. The celebrations were a marked contrast to the sombre mood inside the club earlier in the night during the agonising moments of McIlroy’s final round when he looked to have blown his chances of glory. Club captain Trevor Heaven said he had a feeling that 2025 was going to be McIlroy’s year. Advertisement “We’re so proud – this is immense for Holywood Golf Club,” he said. “When I took on the captain role I got my green jacket, and I always said, ‘if I get my green jacket, Rory will come after me’.” McIroy didn't make it easy for those watching at home.Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Former lady captain Paula Denvir said she kept faith that Holywood’s most famous son would prevail in the end. “It was so well deserved and we’re all just so proud, we’re just so made up for him,” she said. “He just deserved this so much. There were tears of joy all over the place tonight and there was stunned silence too. Everybody is in bits. We’re so delighted for him. It was brilliant. “I’d every confidence in him, I don’t know what it was about this year, I just thought ‘he’ll do this, this was it’. And I’m really glad he proved me right. I’m so delighted. “For Holywood this is unbelievable. He’s always been there, he’s always been an ambassador, he’s always been a supporter of the club. He has supported everything, he’s supported charities, my charity last year – The Friends of the Cancer Centre. “He’s just an unbelievable ambassador for everywhere – for Holywood, for Northern Ireland, for Ireland, just across the board. And everybody should be just so proud.” The Journal / YouTube Paula’s husband Tony is the club president at Holywood. She joked that, unlike her, he had the foresight to book a day off on Monday in anticipation of a draining Sunday night. Tony described the scenes in the club as “incredible”. “It’s hard to put into words to be quite honest with you, and it’s such a great achievement,” he said. “Yeah, it’s taken a wee while to do it. We all thought he was going to do it many years ago. It’s taken a wee while, but he’s got there in the end. “And it’s just absolutely unbelievable. For the whole country and for the game of golf in Northern Ireland – it’s just fantastic.” Written by Press Association and posted on TheJournal.ie Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “'It’s taken a wee while': Holywood story as McIlroy's home golf club is put through the wringer ”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “'It’s taken a wee while': Holywood story as McIlroy's home golf club is put through the wringer ”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... 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