Rory McIlroy Becomes Fourth Golfer to Defend Masters Title with 12‑Under Victory

Rory McIlroy secured his second straight Masters title on Sunday, finishing at 12‑under 276 and becoming only the fourth player in history to win Augusta National in back‑to‑back years.

The Northern Irish star rallied from a three‑shot deficit on the front nine, carding a 71 (one under par) in the final round to edge out Scottie Scheffler by a single stroke.

"I can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and I get two in a row," McIlroy said in the Butler Cabin, emphasizing the perseverance that finally paid off.

His victory marks a sixth major championship, tying Nick Faldo for the most majors by a European in the modern era and placing them both at 12th on the all‑time list.

Trailing McIlroy were Cameron Young, Russell Henley, England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Rose, each finishing one shot back at 10‑under.

McIlroy began the final round tied for the 54‑hole lead at 11‑under, slipped to 9‑under after two early bogeys, then surged with birdies on holes 7, 8, 12 and 13 to build a two‑shot cushion heading into the iconic "Amen Corner."

When the pressure mounted on the 18th, a well‑placed drive into the trees allowed him to reach a greenside bunker, set up a two‑putt bogey and preserve the lead, confirming his place among the Masters’ elite.

Beyond the personal milestone, McIlroy’s back‑to‑back triumph underscores the rarity of defending the Masters—an achievement previously accomplished only by Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods—and highlights the growing prominence of European players on golf’s biggest stage.