3 golfers have won back-to-back Masters. Can Rory McIlroy join them?

3 golfers have won back-to-back Masters. Can Rory McIlroy join them?

2025 Masters winner Rory McIlroy entered the final round of this year's tournament tied for the lead, despite shooting 1-over on Saturday, April 11. If he manages to pull ahead and claim victory once again, he will join a very exclusive list of golfers to have won at Augusta National two years in a row.

The Masters has been played every year since 1934 (with the exception of 1943 to 1945 due to World War II). Since then, only three golfers have ever won consecutive tournaments, and they're among the best of the best to ever play the sport.

Jack Nicklaus (1965-1966 champion), Nick Faldo (1989-1990), and Tiger Woods (2001-2002) have all won at least three Masters titles, with Nicklaus and Woods winning six and five, respectively. Each of them have carved their names into Augusta's history books forever, and McIlroy has the opportunity to do the same today.

The weekend arrives with the leaderboard tightening and pressure rising at Augusta National.

These images follow Rory McIlroy as he begins Saturday in the hunt at the Masters.

Above, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 14th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 11th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy walks up the first fairway during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy misses a putt on the first green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 11th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the seventh green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the second hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the practice green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot at the tournament practice area during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy chips onto the fourth green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the first hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy walk down the first fairway during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the practice green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the third green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks at his ball on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the seventh hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the eighth tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 11th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot from a bunker on the seventh hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Sam Burns of the United States walk the eighth fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland moves an obstruction out of the way on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the rules official on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland asks patrons to move on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 15th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 15th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Patrons watch as Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the 16th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the 12th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 12th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 13th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the 12th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his caddie Harry Diamond walks over the Hogan Bridge to the 12th hole green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 14th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

The weekend arrives with the leaderboard tightening and pressure rising at Augusta National.

These images follow Rory McIlroy as he begins Saturday in the hunt at the Masters.

Above, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 14th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

1 / 40

Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

The weekend arrives with the leaderboard tightening and pressure rising at Augusta National.

These images follow Rory McIlroy as he begins Saturday in the hunt at the Masters.

Above, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 14th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 11th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy walks up the first fairway during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy misses a putt on the first green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 11th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the seventh green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the second hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the practice green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot at the tournament practice area during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy chips onto the fourth green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the first hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy walk down the first fairway during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the practice green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the third green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks at his ball on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the seventh hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the eighth tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 11th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot from a bunker on the seventh hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Sam Burns of the United States walk the eighth fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland moves an obstruction out of the way on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the rules official on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland asks patrons to move on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 15th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 15th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Patrons watch as Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the 16th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the 12th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 12th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 13th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the 12th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his caddie Harry Diamond walks over the Hogan Bridge to the 12th hole green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 14th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away, still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Jack Nicklaus' back-to-back Masters titles

Although Nicklaus won the titles in 1965 and 1966, those weren't his first Masters wins.

His first came in 1963, at just 23 years old. Nicklaus finished the tournament at 2-under, which was good enough for the win. His best round was the second, where he shot an incredible 66, three strokes better than the next best round by anyone else in the field.

His back-to-back wins were far more impressive though, with Nicklaus shooting under 70 in three of the four rounds in 1965, winning the tournament by nine strokes over the second-place finishers: Gary Player and Arnold Palmer.

In 1966, Nicklaus struggled a bit more. After a stellar 4-under in the first round to lead after Day 1, he fell back a bit, and was forced into a playoff with Gary Brewer and Tommy Jacobs for the win. The trio played an entire round on Monday, with Nicklaus shooting 2-under to win, while Jacobs and Brewer shot even par and 6-over respectively.

Nick Faldo's back-to-back Masters wins

Unlike Nicklaus, Faldo's win at the 1989 Masters was the first of his career. Although he had previously won another major, taking home the 1987 Open Championship title.

The Englishman was forced into a playoff with Scott Hoch to secure the 1989 green jacket. Faldo won the playoff on the 11th hole, a hole he'd bogeyed all four rounds of the tournament. He birdied the hole in the playoff.

Faldo's victory in 1990 was equally suspenseful, with another playoff needed for the win. This time, his opponent was Raymond Floyd, another previous Masters winner himself. Once again, Faldo won the tournament on Hole 11, recording a par this time around.

Tiger Woods' back-to-back Masters titles

The 2001 Masters Tournament is arguably the pinnacle of Tiger Woods' illustrious career. With his victory that year, Woods completed the "Tiger Slam", where Woods held all four major titles. He won the tournament at 16-under, two strokes ahead of second-place David Duval.

This wasn't the first Masters win of Woods' career, but the fact that he completed a Grand Slam in a single calendar year remains one of the greatest feats in the history of golf.

Woods' 2002 victory was slightly less exciting, with Vijay Singh shooting just even par in the third round after shooting a 65 the day prior. Singh held a four-stroke lead over Woods heading into Saturday's round, but ended the day in third-place, two strokes back of Tiger Woods and Retief Goosen. Goosen shot a 2-over 74 during the final round, all but handing Woods another green jacket.

Woods' 12-under to win set the record for the best score by a defending champion at the Masters.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who has won the Masters in back-to-back years? Full list.