McIlroy repeats at Masters
Rory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters, becoming one of the few golfers to win back-to-back titles and closing out a comeback-filled final round. Coverage emphasized both the historic nature of a repeat champion and emotional moments — family embraces and caddie reactions — that framed the victory. (golfchannel.com) (apnews.com)
Rory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters on Sunday, finishing at 12-under and becoming the first man since Tiger Woods to win back-to-back green jackets. (espn.com) McIlroy closed with a 1-under 71 at Augusta National, one shot ahead of Scottie Scheffler at 11-under. Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, Justin Rose and Cameron Young tied for third at 10-under. (espn.com) He built the tournament with rounds of 67 and 65, then survived a shaky finish Sunday after carrying a six-shot lead through 36 holes. Golf Channel called that Friday margin the largest 36-hole lead in Masters history. (espn.com) (golfchannel.com) The win gave McIlroy his second Masters title, his seventh major championship and his 30th PGA Tour victory. It also made him only the fourth golfer to win the Masters in consecutive years. (pgatour.com) (espn.com) That short list matters at Augusta because the Masters has been played since 1934, and repeat champions are rare even among major winners. ESPN reported McIlroy is the first player to do it there since Woods in 2001 and 2002. (espn.com) The final round was not a runaway. The PGA Tour’s live report said McIlroy reached 13-under with birdies at holes 12 and 13, then held that number until a bogey at 18 after a drive that flew so far right it nearly reached the 10th fairway. (pgatour.com) (espn.com) Scheffler, the world No. 1, charged with a final-round 68 after a third-round 65 put him back into contention. Cameron Young also stayed in the chase deep into the back nine before finishing in that four-way tie for third. (espn.com 1) (espn.com 2) McIlroy’s celebration quickly turned personal. The PGA Tour report said he walked off the 18th green and hugged his daughter, Poppy, for the second straight year after tapping in the winning bogey. (pgatour.com) Afterward, McIlroy said winning at Augusta had not become easier a year after finishing the career Grand Slam there. “It’s just really difficult to win the Masters,” he said, after another Sunday that looked comfortable until the last hole. (espn.com)
