Rory McIlroy overcomes heart disease to win prestigious Grand Slam

Rory McIlroy is the first European golfer to win a Grand Slam title - Photo: Reuters

After much effort and waiting, Rory McIlroy finally "broke the curse" on April 14. The thrilling victory at the 2025 Masters Tournament helped him complete his collection of 4 majors, winning the prestigious Grand Slam title in his career.

One of the 6 greatest golfers in history

The 35-year-old Northern Irishman held his nerve in a tense play-off with Englishman Justin Rose to claim his final victory in 17 appearances at the tournament.

McIlroy could not hide his happiness, calling this victory a dream come true and admitting that he had many doubts "whether this moment would ever come for me".

He became the 6th person in golf history (alongside: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods) and the first European to complete the Grand Slam.

Unlike tennis, a Grand Slam is a title awarded to the winner of one of four tournaments: the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, in one year.

A Grand Slam title in golf is achieved when a golfer wins all four major tournaments during their career. These four tournaments are: The Masters Tournament, The PGA Championship, The US Open, and The Open Championship. To achieve a Grand Slam, a golfer does not need to win all four majors in the same year. They just need to win each tournament throughout their professional career.

And The Masters is the last major tournament that Rory McIlroy has missed in his career. He successfully completed it on April 14 after defeating Justin Rose, making himself one of the world's six golf legends.

Facing myocarditis since age 20

However, few people know that behind the powerful swings and perseverance on the golf course, McIlroy is battling a serious heart condition that could be life-threatening if he does not "control it closely".

In 2018, he revealed that he had suffered a heart attack after a "severe viral infection in China 18 months earlier." McIlroy also recently shared in a podcast that he had suffered from myocarditis, a potentially dangerous inflammatory condition of the heart muscle, since he was 20.

Although most cases of myocarditis are mild, the disease can damage the heart and make it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively.

“I’ve had myocarditis since I was 20,” says the 35-year-old golfer. “I wear a WHOOP device to monitor my heart rate and heart rate variability. With myocarditis, if you’re not hydrated or low on magnesium, your heart can develop worrying little arrhythmias. Having that under control gives me peace of mind.”

McIlroy burst into emotion after winning - Photo: REUTERS

According to the Daily Mail, myocarditis often occurs after a viral infection. The disease occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to the infection, causing inflammation, and this inflammation can persist in the heart even after the virus has been eliminated.

While some people have no symptoms, others may experience chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. In rare cases, if the inflammation is severe, myocarditis can cause scarring of the heart muscle, affecting the heart's function and ability to pump blood throughout the body, potentially causing a heart attack or stroke.

Winning the 2025 Masters not only marks a historic milestone in McIlroy's career but also demonstrates his unyielding will to overcome health barriers to reach the pinnacle of glory.

This championship will certainly give him great motivation on his way to conquering new heights in the world of golf.

McIlroy's wife and children often attend the tournaments he participates in - Photo: REUTERS

McIlroy's wife is Erica Stoll. They started dating in 2015 after being friends for a while and got married in 2017. Erica was born and raised in New York and graduated with a degree in marketing. The two first met at the 2012 Ryder Cup.

After a difficult period in the relationship in May 2024, McIlroy filed for divorce but later withdrew it and the two resolved their differences to look forward to a new start together.

The couple have a daughter named Poppy Kennedy McIlroy (born August 31, 2020). The golfer once shared his happiness in being a father, calling it the most wonderful part of life and his love for his child is unconditional.

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THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/rory-mcilroy-vuot-benh-tim-de-gianh-grand-slam-danh-gia-20250414230843811.htm