Rory McIlroy makes Masters history with second straight win

AUGUSTA, Ga. — This time, Rory McIlroy did not have to wait until the final putt dropped to become emotional.

After marking his ball that was a few inches from the hole on the 18th green at Augusta National, McIlroy walked to the side of the green allowing playing partner Cameron Young to close his round. He crouched, started getting emotional and had his hand over his face.

He knew what was coming.

“I looked at the back of the green and I gave it one of these,” McIlroy said pumping both fists over his head.

“I looked and my mom and dad and Erica and Poppy (his wife and daughter) … I can’t believe I did it again.”

Then, the tap in. And here we are.

Same place. Same result.

Rinse and repeat.

Jupiter’s Rory McIlroy is a back-to-back Masters champion, having survived a roller-coaster final two rounds that ended with a bogey, which was all he needed to finish one shot ahead of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

McIlroy, who closed with a 71 for a total 12-under 276, is getting good at this celebration.

The look to the sky. The roar. The arms lifted high into the air. And of course, being serenaded by chants of “Rory, Rory, Rory.”

But what made this victory sweeter was the hug line. Not only was he greeted by Erica and Poppy, but two special guests who were unable to witness his first Masters.

McIlroy draped his arms around his parents, Gerry and Rosie McIlroy, at once. They all had a good cry. Gerry and Rosie were not at Augusta a year ago when Rory outlasted Justin Rose on the first playoff hole. And they almost didn’t come this year.

“I had to sort of convince them to come this year,” McIlroy said. “They thought the reason I won last year was because they weren’t here.”

Now they can start booking their tickets for Augusta for 2027.

“They can keep coming as long as they want,” Rory said.

Rory McIlroy joins another club that includes Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods

Apr 12, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley places the green jacket on Rory McIlroy during the green jacket ceremony after the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

McIlroy joined the exclusive Grand Slam club in 2025, occupied by Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

The fraternity he joins by winning a second consecutive Masters is even more exclusive. He is just the fourth, joining Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Woods.

And the first since Woods’ second consecutive Masters in 2002.

Which means Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley was called upon to present McIlroy with his second green jacket, just the fourth time the chairman was called into action.

“I just can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and I get two in a row,” he said. “I think all of my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off.”

By perseverance he means practice, practice, practice.

Rory has been at Augusta National so much in the last three weeks that he said Augusta National feels like his home course.

And something he has never forgotten was advice from the man who has won six green jackets, more than anyone.

McIlroy often seeks advice from Jack Nicklaus. Of course, he has a pipeline as a member of Nicklaus’ Bear’s Club.

“When I’ve talked to Jack Nicklaus over the years how he prepared for majors, and he would go the week before, and he would simulate a tournament,” Rory said. “He’d play one ball for four days, shoot scores. So then when he got to the tournament, it was sort of … it felt second nature to him.”

McIlroy’s second Masters did not come easy

Apr 12, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy celebrates after winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images

McIlroy sure knows how to make it interesting. A year ago, he missed the potential winning 5-footer on the 72nd hole, forcing the playoff. He had a three-shot lead after a birdie on No. 13 this year. Scheffler’s birdie on 16 cut that to two and then the emotional roller coaster.

“I don’t make it easy,” McIlroy said. “It’s just hard. It’s hard to win golf tournaments, especially around here. It always seems to be a very tight finish at this golf course. I think it’s the nature of the golf course, it’s the nature of what’s at stake.”

The harrowing moments:

A third shot on No. 15 that most times would have spun back into the water. It stayed up.

A circuitous route on No. 18 from the pine straw closer to the 10th fairway than the 18th. That led to a shot that went over the trees, over the large scoreboard between the holes and into the left bunker. A simple chip and two putts and McIlroy was making history.

McIlroy was leading by six shots after carding a 65 in the second round. He sat with good friends Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton after that round and told them “a lot can happen in a golf tournament over 36 holes or even 18 holes.”

And it did.

McIlroy started the final round tied with Cameron Young. But before making the turn, he was three shots behind Rose.

A nine-shot swing in 24 holes.

“It would have been a bitter pill to swallow if I wasn’t able to get myself over the finish line,” he said.

As Rose started melting down, McIlroy found himself back in the lead by the 10th hole.

“There was a few guys that made a run but nothing like what Justin did last year with that 66,” Rory said. “Some good play by me, and the guys didn’t really come at me this year either.”

McIlroys will celebrate before returning to Jupiter

Apr 12, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy holds the Masters championship trophy in front of his daughter Poppy and wife Erica Stoll during the green jacket ceremony after the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

McIlroy will enjoy this second go around with the Green Jacket and sterling silver trophy that is a replica of the Augusta National clubhouse the winners get to take home — unlike the Green Jacket, which stays at the club.

So 2026 will be a lot like 2025.

“We lose a lot more in golf than we win,” McIlroy said. “So I think when the winning comes around, you have to celebrate it to the fullest.

“I’ll have a good time tonight, and I’ll probably have a sore head flying back to Florida tomorrow morning.”

McIlroy now will enjoy a true break, without any day trips to Augusta in which he would drop Poppy off at school and be back by dinner.

“I’m in a really good spot with my game and my body,” he said. “I feel this win is just a part of the journey. I still have things I want to achieve. But I still want to enjoy it as well. I’ve got a couple weeks off before I go”

But do not confuse that with complacency or satisfaction.

McIlroy’s six majors moves him into a group that includes his biggest rival, Phil Mickelson, along with Lee Trevino and Nick Faldo.

At 36, he is not finished.

“I’m not putting a number on it but I don’t want to stop now,” McIlroy said.

Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Rory McIlroy wins Masters, one shot ahead of Scottie Scheffler

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