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Dave Portnoy gives crushing verdict on Rory McIlroy after watching him win the Masters READ MORE: Rory McIlroy takes sly dig at reporters with bitter Masters question By MAX WINTERS Published: 07:55 EDT, 14 April 2025 | Updated: 07:56 EDT, 14 April 2025 e-mail View comments Dave Portnoy delivered a bruising verdict on Rory McIlroy , despite watching him win the Masters on Sunday night. McIlroy threatened to squander a five-shot lead with eight holes to play on a thrilling afternoon at Augusta National. But he managed to hold his nerve to birdie the first hole in his playoff against Justin Rose to complete the career Grand Slam that had eluded him for so long.
However, Barstool Sports chief Portnoy was extremely critical of McIlroy during his final round and posted several times mocking the Northern Irishman. But, as he closed in on victory, Portnoy delivered a damning verdict. He wrote that McIlroy 'may win this thing but he's not the guy'.
He also said defeat would have ensured McIlroy's 'legacy that he's one of the greatest choke artists in the history of golf?' Dave Portnoy delivered a bruising verdict on Rory McIlroy after his Masters win on Sunday The Barstool Sports chief posted that McIlroy 'may win this thing but he's not the guy' Read More Rory McIlroy's rumoured ex reacts as she watches him win the Masters with his wife by his side Portnoy finished his series of posts by saying it was a 'great tournament' but it 'sucks Rory won though'. McIlroy's fourth birdie of the day on the 10th had given him a five-shot lead, but he inexplicably pitched into Rae's Creek on the 13th to run up a second double bogey of the day and also dropped a shot on the 14th. After a birdie on the 17th had seen him regain the lead, McIlroy bogeyed the 18th which forced the playoff against Rose.
'It's a dream come true,' McIlroy said. 'I have dreamt about that moment for as long as I can remember. 'Watching Tiger (Woods) here in 1997 do what he did, winning his first green jacket, I think that inspired so many of my generation to want to emulate what he did.
'It feels incredible. This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time. 'The last 10 years coming here with the burden of the grand slam on my shoulder and trying to achieve it, I wonder what we're going to talk about going into next year.
'I'm absolutely honored, thrilled and proud to be able to call myself a Masters champion.' McIlroy slips into his green jacket after winning a playoff against Justin Rose at Augusta McIlroy poses with daughter Poppy and wife Erica Stoll after being handed his trophy CBS Sports' Amanda Balionis, the reporter rumored to have had a relationship with McIlroy, sent him a message after watching him celebrate his Masters win with his wife and daughter. Balionis, 38, hailed McIlroy's 'legacy' achievement after he became only the sixth man to complete the sweep of golf's four major honors.
Balionis' comments come just months after rumors suggested that she and McIlroy had been having some form of a relationship while they were both out on tour. None of these rumors have been proven and neither Balionis nor McIlroy have outright addressed them. On Sunday, McIlroy wasted no time in putting his wife of eight years, Erica Stoll, and their four-year-old daughter Poppy at the center of his celebrations, posing for photos with the pair who have been a visible support in recent months.
Balionis wrote: 'It took 17 Masters starts, 11 years of attempting to complete the career Grand Slam and 73 this week but Rory McIlroy has his Green Jacket and has solidified his legacy alongside Tiger, Jack, Gary, Hogan and Sarazen. What a week and a battle down to the very end.' Share or comment on this article: Dave Portnoy gives crushing verdict on Rory McIlroy after watching him win the Masters e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted.
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