Lifelong dreams were met, records were smashed and Aussies dominated across the globe. There was no shortage of drama in this week’s sports coverage.
McIlroy wins Masters in a playoff, finally getting his green jacket
After an 11-year majors drought, Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters in a thrilling playoff over Justin Rose, completing golf’s coveted career Grand Slam.
McIlroy closed with a rollercoaster final-round 71 to finish at 11-under-par, where he was matched by Rose after a brilliant scorecard of 66.
The two returned to the 18th hole for a sudden-death playoff, where McIlroy delivered a stunning approach to three feet and rolled in the birdie putt to seal the most significant win of his career.
“I’ve got to go and get a green jacket,” he said, leaving the 18th green.
The 34-year-old now joins an exclusive club of just six men to have won all four majors; Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen.
McIlroy opened Sunday nervously with a double bogey and later found water on hole 13, dropping another two shots. But birdies on holes 15 and 17 kept him in the hunt. Rose, meanwhile, surged with a flawless back nine, including birdies on holes 13, 15 and 18 to force the playoff.
Gout Gout and Peter Bol steal the show in Perth
Australia’s track future was on full display over the weekend, with teenage sprint prodigy Gout Gout and Olympic star Peter Bol delivering eye-catching performances at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth.
Seventeen-year-old Gout continued his form, clocking a blistering 19.84 seconds in the men’s 200m final. While the run was wind-assisted (+2.2 m/s) and ineligible for record purposes, it stands as the second fastest all-conditions 200m times ever run by a junior athlete.
Just a day earlier, Gout finished with back-to-back sub-10-second 100m runs in the under-20 division (both also wind-assisted), raising expectations for an exciting career ahead.
“I guess I took off, got my kick, and just sent it down the hook straight,” he said.
In the longer distances, Peter Bol reclaimed centre stage running a 1:43.79, winning in the men’s 800m and smashing the Australian record.
Bol cruised to victory, raising a triumphant arm to the Perth crowd. It marked a significant moment for the 30-year-old, who faced a doping investigation in 2023 and spent much of the following year fighting to clear his name.
“I should have been at this level a few years ago; obviously, I had some interruptions,” he said.
“But to be back here, to know this is where I belong is great. I always knew I could do it, it was just a matter of time.”
Piastri stuns with flawless Bahrain Grand Prix victory
Australia’s Oscar Piastri has delivered the drive of his young Formula 1 career, leading from lights out to the chequered flag in a commanding win at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday night.
Fending off Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren teammate Lando Norris by 15.49 and 16.27 seconds respectively, it marked McLaren’s first win on their “second home Grand Prix”.
Piastri controlled from his starting pole position, retaining his lead right to the end, despite the safety car cutting his one-time seven second lead to almost nothing.
“That’s going to be one hell of a party tonight,” Piastri said to his team after winning his fourth F1 race.
“Mega weekend everyone, mega! That was pretty damn fun.”
The win in Bahrain jumps Piastri past Max Verstappen in the F1 driver standings, now sitting in second place, just three points behind teammate Lando Norris.
Port Adelaide’s statement win headlines thrilling Gather Round in Adelaide
The AFL’s Gather Round concluded with a commanding performance by Port Adelaide, who handed Hawthorn their first loss of the season.
Sparks flying early was no surprise to anyone familiar with the two clubs’ recent history, but Port Adelaide did their talking on the scoreboard. In the second quarter, the Power established a remarkable 71-point lead, which they used to see off a comeback attempt by the Hawks.
“We needed to win,” Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said post-match.
“They’re professional performers and they know at 1-3, our season was getting into some challenging positions.”
Photo:
- Aerial View of Soccer Field by Mike found HERE
- Basketball Hoop on Court by Daniel Absi found HERE
- Person Swimming on Body of Water found HERE
All photos are used under a Creative Commons license. The images have not been modified.
