The excitement from Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory on April 13 continues to bubble up, which is quite natural.
Many of the feelings stem from being able to identify more with McIlroy’s setbacks rather than his remarkable physical abilities.
We feel compassion for the Northern Irish golfer who struggled during his first 16 attempts at the Masters tournament at Augusta National. This was particularly evident in 2011 when he held a significant four-shot advantage approaching the 10th hole but ultimately finished with an disappointing score of 80, having carded a dismal 43 strokes over the last nine holes.
Oh, but all those issues were forgotten and every bit of heartache vanished several weeks back when McIlroy hit a wedge so close to the pin—just mere feet away—that he won against Justin Rose on the very first extra hole.
The Green Jacket was his prize, and a legion of supporters celebrated. And, oh, how the historical significance quickly dominated the landscape.
Maybe not instantly, but certainly within hours the golf world and those who pay attention to it seemed to comprehend how McIlroy had become just the sixth golfer in history to win each of the four major championships – the Masters, the PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and the Open Championship.
This achievement is known as the career Grand Slam. The reality that esteemed legends such as Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Raymond Floyd, Tom Watson, and Phil Mickelson have secured three out of four major titles yet missed one—often referred to as “the whole pie”—underscores how rarefied an accomplishment this truly is for McIlroy. Now he stands beside golfing greats like Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
Here is where our routes probably diverge. Getting overly excited about McIlroy’s victory lap — traveling to London, Northern Ireland, and returning to New York for numerous television appearances, particularly his redo with Jimmy Fallon featuring a segment from his childhood and hitting golf balls into a washer — seems rather unimpressive. This epitomizes what was typical in 2025: an excessive amount of social media content layered upon heaps of publicity and trivial details taken to extremes.
Before long, folks might forget that McIlroy achieved the career Grand Slam in 64 major championship appearances, whereas Woods accomplished it in just 21 majors,Nicklaus in 27, and Player in 30.
Next up is possibly the most remarkable member of the career Grand Slam club – Hogan. What he achieved in 1953 has yet to be replicated. After sustaining severe injuries from a terrible car accident in February 1949, which included a double pelvic fracture, a broken collarbone, fractured ribs, internal damage, a shattered left ankle, and bruises across his left leg, his playing time was largely restricted to major tournaments following his recovery.
However, when he reached 40 years old, Hogan managed to win the Masters again, securing his fourth U.S. Open title, before triumphing in the Open Championship to achieve the career Grand Slam.
It should not be forgotten that during that time, Hogan needed to participate in a 36-hole qualifier just to enter the Open Championship. Additionally, he had to make an Atlantic crossing without enjoying the luxury of a private jet, unlike what players like McIlroy and Woods have access to nowadays.
In 1935, when Gene Sarazen won The Masters, nobody was discussing his potential for achieving the Career Grand Slam. Not at all! Instead, people were eagerly anticipating a match between him and Johnny Dawson—substituting for the sick Bobby Jones—who would face off against the renowned players Joyce Wethered and Glenna Collett Vare.
This marked Hogan’s sole attempt at competing in the Open Championship, and he still stands as the lone golfer to claim victory in all three major professional tournaments within a single calendar year.
Because of these factors, among the six individuals who have achieved the career Grand Slam, only Hogan’s success carries a hint of heroism.
Certainly, you can acknowledge McIlroy’s accomplishment with significant relief and well-deserved respect; he merits that recognition.
Simply avoid becoming so entrenched in the present moment that you show minimal reverence for those who have rightfully secured their legacy over time.
After all, someone needed to be the pioneer for achieving the career Grand Slam, so let us raise our glasses to honor the legendary Gene Sarazen and celebrate every moment of his remarkable victory at the Masters back in 1935.
In none of the reports about Sarazen’s albatross at hole number 15 during his final round of 70 on Sunday, which led to a tie with Craig Wood and ultimately his triumph in the 36-hole playoff, was there any reference to his achievement of completing a career Grand Slam.
Indeed, it was mentioned how Sarazen had earlier claimed three PGA Championships, two U.S. Opens, and an Open Championship, yet the term “career Grand Slam” wasn’t used until much later.
Therefore, no, Sarazen didn’t indulge in being the sole member of “the club” during the weeks following his victory at Augusta National.
This doesn’t mean he missed out on attention since, at 32 years old, the individual who ran a farm in Brookfield, Connecticut, had become a nationwide sensation.
He launched his own range of Wilson golf clubs priced at $4.95 per iron and $6.95 per wood, toured the major department stores from Boston through New York to Pittsburgh, and promoted Camel cigarettes.
Indeed, television was not around in 1935, which means Sarazen missed out on chipping golf balls alongside a celebrity host such as Jimmy Fallon.
However, newspapers were abundant, and the Masters champion was featured almost daily.
There he is at his farm tending to his cow, Betty, during milking time. Over there, he is greeting his latest addition, the calf named Miss Augusta.
Observe him bursting forth from the sandbox toward a improvised bunker within a department store.
There was significant buzz when legendary golfer Joyce Wethered visited the U.S. and consented to participate in some golf matches against Sarazen.
Alongside Collett Vare, Sarazen competed against Wethered and Johnny Dawson in one game, followed by playing against Jesse Sweetser and Wethered in another encounter.
As things stand now, ninety years back it was significant news whenever the Masters champion shared their plans. Unsurprisingly, Gene Sarazen headed to Oakmont in early June and ended up tied for sixth place at the U.S. Open.
Quite unexpectedly, halfway through June, he announced that he would not participate in the Open Championship at Muirfield. Instead, Sarazen decided to enter the Massachusetts Open at Oak Hill in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
It unfolded just as the multitude of enthusiasts had hoped – Sarazen being dominant. His scorecard showed a stellar 66 in round two, which pushed his lead up to seven strokes. The concluding part after 36 holes was purely for their entertainment pleasure.
As W.A. Whitcomb from the Boston Globe described it, “He played his final two rounds with the pinpoint accuracy of a golfing machine,” capturing Sarazen’s remarkable victory by an impressive margin of 14 strokes.
Although he maintained his competitiveness for many more years, Sarazen never claimed another major title following his 1935 Masters victory; however, he always carried an extraordinary demeanor. “I don’t believe the world or life owes me anything,” he once stated.
He remained modest, recognizing that he deserves immense respect for his standing in the sport. Honor everyone like McIlroy and just a handful of others who have achieved this, but remember always to raise a glass to the trailblazer who started it all.
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