By the time Rory McIlroy prepared to hit his third shot into the 13th hole on Sunday at The Masters this past year, it appeared that the Northern Irishman was about to cruise across the line and win at Augusta National at long last.
Rory McIlroy had dropped just one shot over the first two holes of Amen Corner. That ensured that he had a commanding lead on the 13th hole – a brilliant opportunity to make at least a birdie.
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve ever seen a player make at a major?
He decided to lay up, leaving himself 82 yards for his third shot. Unfortunately, he somehow managed to find Rae’s Creek in one of several moments that day that stopped the golfing world in its tracks.
As it turns out, Will Zalatoris was able to see the funny side of that moment.
Why Will Zalatoris was laughing after Rory McIlroy found the water on Sunday at The Masters
Of course, McIlroy did go on to win. But he made extremely hard work of securing the green jacket. And it was his approach shots into the two par fives on the second nine that best summed up his day.
It did not seem to make sense when McIlroy found the water on 13. But it turns out that the shot he hit was not as inexplicable as most would believe.
Speaking on Fried Egg Golf, Zalatoris explained why he was not shocked by the shot McIlroy hit.
“So when Rory hit the wedge on 13 when he won this year, and he hit it in the water, I didn’t want to say I could see that happening, because that just sounds like such a j—–s comment to say, but I’ve done that. I’ve totally done that,” he said.
“I know that feeling where the ball just glances off the face, and I’m like, oh no, that’s short and right. I was just laughing watching that because all of us are feeling for him in that moment. I have literally done that on that exact hole.”
Zalatoris’ Masters record has to be taken into consideration
Zalatoris’ comments are significant because he has such an amazing record at The Masters in the early stages of his career.
Not only was 2025 the first time he missed the cut at Augusta National, it was the first time in his career that he failed to make the top 10 at the first major of the year.
He finished second to Hideki Matsuyama in 2021, before ending up tied for sixth the following year. And in 2024, Zalatoris finished tied for ninth.
So when he defends McIlroy over that shot on the 13th hole, it becomes clear that it was not only the pressure that made that moment particularly challenging.
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