The first win at Augusta National Golf Club certainly was not the last for Rory McIlroy. He has gone back-to-back with another Masters win.
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He is now the fourth golfer in history to win in consecutive years. He joins Jack Nicklaus (1965-1966), Nick Faldo (1989-1990), and Tiger Woods (2001-2002).
Holywood has its sequel. #themasters pic.twitter.com/L7N9el2aC3
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2026
The veteran golfer got the proverbial weight off his shoulders last year when he finally won the prestigious tournament. He then spent some of the subsequent free time working on his game at Augusta National Golf Club.
Once he returned for the 2026 Masters, he put on an absolute show early. He built up a six-stroke lead by the midway point of the tournament, but he began losing ground to other competitors. At one point, he fell two-down after struggles on two different holes.
McIlroy posted a double bogey at the Par-3 fourth hole and a bogey at the Par-3 sixth hole. Cameron Young took the lead on the first nine holes on Sunday, and it appeared that he could prevent a successful defense. However, he posted three bogeys in a four-hole stretch.
McIlroy delivered back-to-back birdies on the seventh and eighth holes. Meanwhile, Justin Rose struggled on the 11th and 12th holes. This gave McIlroy sole grasp of the lead, which he never relinquished.
He posted a 71 during the final round of the tournament, which secured his second green jacket. Once he made his final putt, he leaned back and roared with excitement. Meanwhile, the patrons at Augusta National Golf Club went wild.
"It felt pretty similar to last year," McIlroy said after the win, per ESPN. "I made a double early on the first hole last year. I made a double on four this year. Then I played flawless golf after that.
"I made four birdies and no bogeys going to the last tee knowing that I had a two-shot lead. It's nice to have that two-shot cushion instead of the one like I had last year."
