McIlroy Wins 2nd Masters In A Row For 6th Major Title

Rory McIlroy overcame early stumbles and a late scare to win the Masters Monday’s morning, capturing his sixth major title to become only the fourth back-to-back champion at Augusta National.

The world No 2 from Northern Ireland made a double bogey at the fourth and a bogey at the sixth, but responded with four birdies in the next seven holes and hung on after woeful late tee shots to win a second green jacket and a record top prize of $4.5 million.

McIlroy joined Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the only back-to-back winners in Masters history, firing a final round one-under-par 71 to finish on 12-under-par 276 and defeat top-ranked Scottie Scheffler by one stroke.

A year after winning his first Masters to complete a career Grand Slam and snap a 10-year major win drought, McIlroy pulled off a wire-to-wire triumph.

“I just can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket and you know I get two in a row. It’s just sort of the way,” McIlroy said.

“I think all of my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off.”

AFP reports that Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley placed the green jacket on McIlroy, a role usually reserved for the prior year’s Masters winner.

McIlroy seized a 36-hole Masters record six-stroke lead only to play the weekend at level par.

“It was a tough weekend. I did the bulk of my work on Thursday and Friday,” McIlroy said. “But just so, so happy to hang in there and get the job done.”

McIlroy, third-from last in driving accuracy for the week, saved par at 15 from the trees but sent his tee shot at the 18th over trees on the right to a spot near the adjacent 10th fairway.

With a victory at risk, McIlroy curled a dramatic approach around the pines and into a greenside bunker, then blasted onto the green to 12 feet and two-putted for bogey to secure the triumph.

“It’s nice to have that two-shot cushion instead of the one like I had last year,” said McIlroy, who needed a playoff to win in 2025.

McIlroy, 36, yelled with joy and lifted his arms into the air after the triumph. He hugged daughter Poppy and wife Erica after walking off the 18th green where he embraced his parents.