Rory McIlroy experienced a range of emotions when he won his first Masters on Sunday to complete the career Grand Slam: relief, jubilation, excitement. MLB Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. captured them all in a series of photos that went viral.
Griffey was a credentialed photographer for the event, which saw its highest ratings since 2018. The final round on CBS averaged 12.7 million viewers — a 33% spike from 2023 — and peaked with an audience of 19.5 million, the network said.
Griffey’s photos from the 18th green drew rave reviews on social media, especially from fans who weren’t familiar with the slugger’s career change.
“His camera work on Masters Sunday was incredible,” the NBC Sports X account wrote.
“Ken Griffey Jr. is better than everyone at everything,” a fan wrote. “What a photo.”’
The most famous shot from McIlroy’s victory showed the Irishman on the ground in celebration, lowering his head to the green in a prayerlike pose.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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