Rory McIlroy claims Masters title, becoming the first to defend since Tiger Woods.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy had to endure over ten years to secure his first Masters title and achieve the career Grand Slam.
This time, he needed only a year to claim his second green jacket.
After relinquishing a six-stroke advantage in Saturday’s third round, McIlroy briefly lost the lead again on Sunday before seizing control on the back nine at Augusta National, becoming the first player to win consecutive Masters since Tiger Woods in 2001-02 and the fourth overall (following Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo).
Following a 1-over 73 that allowed several competitors to make a push, McIlroy recorded a 71 despite a bogey on the 18th, finishing with a total of 12 under to win by a single stroke.
“I can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and [then] I get two in a row,” McIlroy remarked. “I think all my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off.”
McIlroy became just the fourth golfer in the last 40 years to lead or co-lead after each round of the Masters, as noted by ESPN Research.
With his sixth major championship win, the Northern Ireland native tied with England’s Faldo for the second-most victories among European golfers. Only England’s Harry Vardon has more, with seven titles from 1896 to 1914.
Similar to last year, this Masters triumph was not without significant tension on the 18th hole. Holding a two-stroke advantage, McIlroy sliced his drive into the trees on the right, nearly reaching the edge of the 10th fairway. From the pine straw, McIlroy hit an 8-iron high over the trees into the left bunker at the 18th. He punched out to 12 feet and two-putted for a bogey, securing a one-shot victory over world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who finished at 11 under.
Thanks to two late birdies, Scheffler concluded with a 68 and became the first golfer since World War II to play without a bogey in the final two rounds of the Masters.
LIV Golf’s Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, Justin Rose, and Cameron Young tied for third at 10 under.
“I hit it amazing today,” Henley stated. “I gave myself a bunch of looks. Unfortunately, I didn’t capitalize on those looks on the back like I would have liked to. I felt like I handled the pressure well, handled the conditions well. It was tricky out there.”
McIlroy appeared to be in difficulty early in his round. After making a birdie on the par-4 third, he three-putted for a double-bogey on the par-3 fourth, dropping to 10 under. A bogey on the par-3 sixth further reduced him to 9 under, two shots behind Young.
However, after securing birdies on the seventh and eighth holes, McIlroy took charge at Amen Corner, the renowned three-hole stretch from Nos. 11-13 at Augusta National.
He made par on the par-4 11th to maintain a one-shot lead over four players, then hit his tee shot with a 9-iron high over the par-3 12th green. His ball landed and kicked right, stopping 7 feet from the hole. McIlroy’s birdie putt broke right and dropped into the cup for a two-shot lead.
On the par-5 13th, McIlroy launched a 350-yard drive down the right side, leaving him 183 yards from the hole. His approach shot bounced off the back of the green, about 22 yards away. McIlroy putted down the green to 11 feet and made a birdie putt for a three-stroke lead with five holes remaining.
Rose, a three-time runner-up at Augusta National after losing to McIlroy in a playoff last year, began the final round three strokes behind McIlroy and Young. However, he finished the first nine with three consecutive birdies to reach 12 under and take a two-stroke lead at the turn.
Nonetheless, it was another heartbreaking finish for Rose. On the 11th, he pushed his approach shot far to the right. He chipped over a bunker on his third shot but could not convert a 15-footer for par. The bogey dropped him to 11 under, tying him with McIlroy.
Rose’s tee shot on the 12th was long and left. Somehow, he chunked his chip shot from behind the green and left his ball in the rough. He putted to 5 feet and made another bogey, falling one behind McIlroy.
The 45-year-old, who was aiming to become the second-oldest Masters champion, seemed to regain momentum on his approach on the par-5 15th. From 197 yards, Rose took an aggressive line, and his ball bounced onto the green, stopping 30 feet from the hole. However, Rose missed an eagle putt and an 8-foot birdie attempt, settling for a three-putt par, leaving him two behind McIlroy.
Scheffler put himself back in contention for a third green jacket with a 7-under 65 on Saturday. Scheffler made two early birdies in the final round but then recorded 11 consecutive pars before the two late birdies.
