Masters 2025: Rory McIlroy proves the safe play is not always the right one, and it changed the trajectory of his final round

Rory McIlroy was off to an inauspicious start in the final round of ther 2025 Masters. He began Sunday with a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau, shouldering the expectation and hope of completing the career Grand Slam. This is his 11th attempt. Those cheering for him couldn’t help but feel a twinge of fear that he would come out slow, falling victim to the pressure rather than applying it.

And then he started with a double bogey on 1. He was tied with DeChambeau. Then DeChambeau made birdie at 2. McIlroy went from having a two-shot lead to trailing by one. It felt like the fears were being made a reality. It felt like a tailspin was imminent.

Then the pair came to No. 3. The short par 4 is about 350 yards long. There are two options off the tee. Option 1: Hit driver and get close to the green, risking hitting it into the trees on the right or the bunkers on the left. Option 2: Lay up. Play it safe with an iron down the middle, giving yourself a wedge in.

DeChambeau had the honors and went for the safe play. McIlroy, however, took out driver. It was an interesting play—when things are going south, it can be tempting to hit the safe shot, steering clear of dangerous shots in an attempt get your game back under your control before you try to do anything too daring.

McIlroy, even after seeing his playing partner execute the safe shot, strode to the tee with driver in hand and ripped one straight toward the green. He followed it up with a great chip. Made the putt, while DeChambeau made bogey, and suddently McIlroy had the lead back. On No. 4, McIlroy made another birdie. DeChambeau made another bogey. McIlroy’s lead extended to three in less time than it takes to eat a pimento-cheese sandwich.

And it was all because he took out driver, bypassing the temptation to lay up and play it safe.

Sports psychologist Dr. Deborah Graham has worked with many professional golfers, including former Masters champion Fred Couples for years. In her studies, she found that the best players are moderately aggressive.

“I coach players to get the most from their game, choose the club you can fully commit to and can confidently and clearly visualize,” Dr. Graham told Golf Digest via text as McIlroy walked to No. 5. “No doubt Rory was able to do both with his driver on 3.”

The safe shot can look like it’s the best play when things aren’t going right. Instead, it’s the shot that gives you the most confidence—regardless of how “smart” it is—that can steer your game back onto the rails.

“If you’re confident, you’re more likely to keep tension down, which makes it easier to commit fully and easier to visuality the shot,” Graham said. “Which is all essential for any shot but especially the more challenging ones.”

So while driver wasn’t necessarily the safer shot, Graham says that it might’ve looked less risky to McIlroy because of the confidence he has with the driver.

The driver has long been a strength of McIlroy’s. He played the shot that infuses him with confidence. The moment crucially and swiftly changed the direction that momentum was moving on Sunday at the Masters, where McIlroy has so much at stake.