The Weekend in Review 4/14

History Has Been Made

After 10 gut-wrenching attempts and years of near-misses, Rory McIlroy finally captured the one title that had long eluded him: the Masters. Donning the green jacket for the first time, McIlroy opened his champion’s press conference with a lighthearted but pointed question: “What are we going to talk about next year?”

It was a nod to the narrative that has shadowed his career for over a decade—the idea that this would be the year he completed the career Grand Slam. And now, at last, it is.

McIlroy’s victory at Augusta wasn’t just about history. It was a story of redemption, persistence, and emotional release. From his infamous collapse in 2011, where he spiraled from leader to 15th in one harrowing final round, to the rollercoaster drama of this year’s tournament, the journey has tested him both mentally and emotionally. On Sunday, he overcame double bogeys, nerves that nearly shut down his appetite, and the ghost of Rae’s Creek to emerge triumphant.

“It wasn’t joy—it was relief,” he said, recalling the moment he dropped the winning putt and let out a roar that echoed across the course. It marked the culmination of years of self-doubt, expectation, and the sheer will to push forward.

By sinking a birdie in a sudden-death playoff, McIlroy became the sixth golfer in history to achieve the career Grand Slam, joining legends like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Gary Player. But unlike them, who clinched it early, McIlroy’s win came after 11 grueling tries, making the moment all the more emotional.

In his own words: “My biggest battle today wasn’t with the field—it was with myself.”

What a battle it was. What a win.

NBA Postseason is Set to Begin 

The NBA Play-In Tournament returns this week, bringing with it a fresh wave of do-or-die basketball. The tournament format—introduced in 2021—offers teams finishing 7th through 10th in each conference one final shot at playoff glory.

Here’s what’s on tap:

Tuesday (Win and You’re In as the 7th Seed):

• Orlando Magic (7) vs. Atlanta Hawks (8) – 7:30 PM ET, TNT

• Golden State Warriors (7) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (8) – 10:00 PM ET, TNT

Wednesday (Win or Go Home):

• Chicago Bulls (9) vs. Miami Heat (10) – 7:30 PM ET, ESPN

• Sacramento Kings (9) vs. Dallas Mavericks (10) – 10:00 PM ET, ESPN

Friday (Final Chance for the 8 Seed):

• The losers from Tuesday’s 7/8 games will host the winners from Wednesday’s 9/10 matchups.

• Win, and you lock up the 8th seed.

• Lose, and your season ends.

With the playoffs set to officially tip off on April 19, the Play-In is the ultimate pressure cooker—a mini-march madness encore. One game. One shot. Everything on the line.