The 2025 Masters Tournament was one for the ages. Rory McIlroy, finally securing the one title that eluded him for over a decade, completed his career Grand Slam. However, before the tournament started, odds heavily favored Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau, because the past few years were too cruel to the Northern Irishman. From missing the birdie putt in the final round at St. Andrews to not being able to hold off Wyndham Clark at L.A. Country Club and failing to close the deal against DeChambeau at Pinehurst, McIlroy was known for messing up at the crucial moments. Yet through all the ups and downs, one man who never lost faith in McIlroy was 2009 U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover.

Right before the Masters, Glover, who still has his disagreements with Rory over slow play on the PGA Tour, admitted that the Irish golfer is only getting better with his age. “He’s honestly to me getting better as he ages, which I don’t think people do much… he works his bu*t off and he deserves everything he gets,” Glover said just a month before The Masters. Now, almost two weeks after McIlroy finally won the Masters, Glover has come forward to admit how the Irishman’s Masters campaign crashed his weekend plan.

For Lucas, the Masters Tournament presented an opportunity that slipped right through his fingers. After missing the cut at Augusta, Glover, who had arrived at the tournament with high hopes, found himself watching McIlroy’s triumph from the sidelines. The former U.S. Open champion’s early exit from Augusta, coupled with McIlroy’s Masters victory, created an emotional whirlpool, one that Glover shared with listeners on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio.

“We drove down to Hilton Head on Sunday, missing the cut at Augusta, got in our house a little early, and I had these grand plans to go work out some of the kinks on Sunday afternoon,” Glover explained on The Lucas Glover Show, recounting his experience. But once the Masters started, those plans were quickly dashed. “And then the Masters started, and I never made it to the golf course. I watched every shot — five, six hours, whatever the coverage was.” It’s clear Glover was glued to the TV, and who could blame him? Even though Glover’s own game was cut short, his heart was fully behind McIlroy. “I wanted that so bad for Rory, to complete the career Grand Slam,” Glover continued, “because I said Masters week that he deserved it — and he does, and he did.”

“Now, that’s not to discount my friendship with Rosie or the round he played — or the rounds he played, Thursday through Sunday,” Glover acknowledged, putting a respectful nod to his longtime friend Justin Rose, who was also gunning for his own victory. Still, Glover couldn’t help but feel like McIlroy had it in the bag. “But before Rosie got hot, you know, there on the back nine, it looked like it was just Rory’s to walk in with. And I was like, ‘Oh man, he’s finally going to do it,’ and just so happy and felt so good for him.”

But, as always in golf, it’s never that simple. Golf happened, and as Glover noted, McIlroy’s path wasn’t exactly free from obstacles. “Then, you know… just golf happened again. You know, he hit a one-in-a-million shot on thirteen — you drop a million balls there, he’ll never hit it where he hit it again.” And just like that, McIlroy’s fate wasn’t sealed until that final birdie in the playoff. Glover’s disappointment was palpable. Watching McIlroy’s heart-stopping near-miss, he couldn’t help but feel for the guy. “I was devastated for him at that moment,” he admitted. “And I’m watching this, just going, ‘Oh my goodness.’”

Despite the personal frustration of missing the cut, Glover’s reaction tells you everything about the brotherhood that forms in professional golf. There’s fierce competition, but at the end of the day, it’s about respect — and in McIlroy’s case, that’s a respect that runs deep, even from those who may have once been “rivals.” So, while Lucas Glover might’ve been kicking himself for missing the weekend at Augusta, the excitement of seeing McIlroy complete his career Grand Slam must’ve been a bittersweet joy. A rival’s big plan? Destroyed. But hey, a golf fan’s dream? Finally realized.

After Glover’s heartfelt reflections on McIlroy’s Masters victory, it’s clear that the emotions surrounding their relationship go beyond competition. What many fans may not realize is that their connection has been shaped by years of tension and differing viewpoints. But despite the occasional friction, there’s a level of mutual respect that has persisted, evolving as both players navigated their careers on the PGA Tour.

Tensions between McIlroy and Glover over the years

Glover and McIlroy’s rivalry wasn’t solely based on their playing styles, though their contrasting approaches to the game certainly played a role. McIlroy’s aggressive, go-for-broke mentality often clashed with Glover’s more strategic, patient game. However, their differences extended beyond the course, particularly when it came to how the PGA Tour should address issues like slow play. In 2024, McIlroy suggested reducing field sizes to improve pace, but Glover strongly disagreed. He argued that cutting the field wouldn’t necessarily create more competition and could limit opportunities for emerging players. Glover also emphasized that simply focusing on the pace of play overlooked deeper, more systemic issues within the Tour. As Glover put it on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio itself, “I don’t see how you can have more competition with less people.” 

Their differences aren’t just professional but also personal, with McIlroy’s outgoing, media-savvy personality often contrasting with Glover’s more reserved demeanor. Yet, despite their differences, the respect between the two has remained steadfast. McIlroy, acknowledging Glover’s perseverance and character after he won the Wyndham Championship, said, “Not one person has a bad thing to say about Lucas.” Over time, Glover has come to appreciate McIlroy’s accomplishments, ultimately setting aside their past disagreements to celebrate Rory’s Masters victory—proving that even the fiercest of rivals can find common ground.