McIlroy wins Masters again

Rory McIlroy escaped a Sunday collapse at Augusta National and won the Masters again, beating Scottie Scheffler by one shot on April 12. (nbcnews.com) McIlroy finished at 12 under par after a final-round 71, while Scheffler closed with a bogey-free 68 to finish at 11 under. NBC News reported that McIlroy became only the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters titles. (nbcnews.com) The margin looked much larger two days earlier. McIlroy carried a tournament-record six-shot lead through 36 holes, then shot 73 on Saturday and entered Sunday tied for first with Cameron Young at 11 under. (nbcsports.com) Sunday turned into a chase instead of a procession. The Athletic reported that McIlroy had to hold off challenges from Cameron Young, Justin Rose and Scheffler before separating himself on the back nine. (nytimes.com) The win adds another layer to a career that already included last year’s Masters and five other major championships. NBC Sports said the 2026 title was McIlroy’s sixth major overall and came with final two rounds of 73 and 71 after his lead nearly disappeared. (nbcsports.com) It also tightened the rivalry at the top of men’s golf. Scheffler, the 2022 and 2024 Masters champion, was the runner-up after a weekend of 65 and 68, and CBS News said he became the first player since 1942 to play the weekend at Augusta without a bogey. (cbsnews.com) McIlroy is 36 and from Holywood, Northern Ireland, and his winning score matched the 12-under total he carried after two rounds. NBC Sports said that number was also the mark of his record 36-hole lead on Friday. (nbcsports.com) By sunset Sunday, the green jacket stayed with the same player for a second straight April. This time, McIlroy reached Butler Cabin with only one stroke left to spare. (golfweek.usatoday.com)