History Made at Augusta
Rory McIlroy has etched his name into Masters folklore, becoming the first player since Tiger Woods in 2001-02 to win consecutive green jackets. The Northern Irishman's one-stroke victory over world number one Scottie Scheffler at 12-under par delivered his sixth major championship title.
McIlroy is now only the fourth player ever to successfully defend the Masters title, joining an exclusive club alongside Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90), and Tiger Woods (2001-02).
"I can't believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and then I get two in a row. I think all my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off."
- Rory McIlroy, 2026 Masters Champion
By The Numbers
Final Round Drama
McIlroy entered Sunday tied for the lead after surrendering a six-stroke cushion during a shaky third round. He responded with championship mettle, carding birdies at the 12th and 13th holes through Amen Corner to build a two-shot buffer.
The 18th provided one final twist. McIlroy sliced his drive into trees, punched out from pine straw into a greenside bunker, then splashed out to 12 feet. His two-putt bogey was enough as Scheffler's birdie attempt slid past, sealing a one-shot victory.
Final Leaderboard
| Pos |
Player |
Score |
| 1 |
Rory McIlroy (NIR) |
-12 |
| 2 |
Scottie Scheffler (USA) |
-11 |
| T3 |
Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) |
-10 |
| T3 |
Russell Henley (USA) |
-10 |
| T3 |
Justin Rose (ENG) |
-10 |
| T3 |
Cameron Young (USA) |
-10 |
| T7 |
Collin Morikawa (USA) |
-9 |
| T7 |
Sam Burns (USA) |
-9 |
McIlroy's Major Record
- 2011 U.S. Open - Congressional
- 2012 PGA Championship - Kiawah Island
- 2014 The Open - Royal Liverpool
- 2014 PGA Championship - Valhalla
- 2025 The Masters - Augusta National
- 2026 The Masters - Augusta National
A Legacy Cemented
With six major titles, McIlroy now sits alongside Nick Faldo and Phil Mickelson in the all-time rankings. At 37, the man from Holywood, Northern Ireland has transformed from a prodigious talent who once let a Masters slip away into the most dominant force at Augusta in a generation.
After years of near-misses and heartbreak - most famously his final-round collapse in 2011 - McIlroy's consecutive victories represent one of the great redemption arcs in sporting history.