Mar 18, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, JPN; Seattle Mariners former player Ken Griffey Jr. stands on the field before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs during the Tokyo Series at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
By Matt Yoder on

Rory McIlroy completed his quest to win the Masters and complete the career grand slam on Sunday in what was one of the most thrilling final rounds in the history of professional golf. And Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. was on the scene at the 18th green to record the special moment for the history books.

After starring for many years for the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds, Griffey has embarked on a second career as a sports photographer. And he received a credential with Augusta National to be at the Masters this week to take pictures.

While that is an incredibly cool story no matter what Ken Griffey Jr. would be photographing at Augusta, the fact that he was on the 18th green on Sunday and captured this incredible still frame of Rory McIlroy after sinking the winning birdie putt in a playoff against Justin Rose makes it all the more spectacular.

What a photograph. That’s vintage Sports Illustrated cover worthy!

And Grifffey’s camerawork went viral on social media with scores of individuals incredibly impressed that his skill behind the camera seems to match that of his skill with a baseball bat in his hands.

It was an incredible flood of emotion that poured out from Rory McIlroy after securing the green jacket for his first major triumph in over a decade. His pursuit to win the Masters to complete the career grand slam has been the defining story in golf outside of the PGA-LIV drama and the health of Tiger Woods. CBS met the moment with their broadcast as Jim Nantz and company laid out for several minutes to soak in McIlroy’s celebration with family, friends, and the Augusta patrons.

But as Ken Griffey Jr.’s photo showed, nobody needed to do any talking to convey what a special moment it was at Augusta National.

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