Rory McIlroy holds nerve to be the Master again as rivals succumb to tension

You are left wondering how on earth Augusta National managed to inflict such psychological torture on Rory McIlroy for all those years. Or maybe that is precisely the point, that ­McIlroy’s ending of his Masters hoodoo in 2025 placed him into a fresh head space where failure is not an option. It turns out Green Jackets are like London buses. Back in Augusta, where he became only the sixth man in history to complete a career grand slam, McIlroy entered the record books once more. He is now the fourth golfer to successfully defend the Masters, after Jack ­Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods. As a six-time major winner, he has surpassed Seve Ballesteros.

What next, Rory? He could walk on Rae’s Creek. McIlroy’s latest Masters triumph arrived with the 36-year-old considerably short of his best for much of the tournament. That only emphasises his excellence.

McIlroy was emotional when paying tribute to his parents, who watched on at the prize ceremony. “I wanted to come back here and prove last year wasn’t a fluke,” he said. “The Masters continues to be the shining light of the majors. I am so honoured and thrilled to win for a second time.”

McIlroy’s genius has taken him into the pantheon of golfing greats. His propensity for involvement in high drama is what makes his journey so utterly compelling. McIlroy held a six-shot lead at halfway in this major, which had vanished after 54 holes. The Northern Irishman’s swing had lost its wonderful, distinctive rhythm. As McIlroy made a double bogey at the 4th on Sunday, before dropping a further shot at the 6th, obituaries were being prepared.

Those who doubted McIlroy ignored not only his talent but his tenacity. He was unwilling to give up his Masters title. Under blazing Georgia sun, on a course rendered especially tricky by gusting wind, McIlroy roared back. He made birdies at the 7th and 8th before making a statement at the 12th, where a two placed the same number of shots between McIlroy and the field. With a birdie at the 13th, McIlroy was three clear. He had obliterated the par five with a 350-yard drive.

Rory McIlroy plays out from the bunker on the 18th hole. Photograph: Kylie Cooper/Reuters

Mere mortals wonder how on earth you could feel your arms in this sporting scenario. McIlroy looked shaky on the 15th, where he drove into timber on the right. His third shot, a relatively straightforward chip, was closer to the pond than he would have fancied. Murmurs shot out from the galleries once more at the 16th, where McIlroy’s iron bounded over the green. He had to play the closing three in plus one at worst to avoid a playoff. Augusta messes even with the emotions of its champions.

Scottie Scheffler emerged as ­McIlroy’s main threat. Well, he is not the world No 1 without reason. Had Scheffler’s putter behaved even to a moderately greater level than was the case over 72 holes, he could have won the Masters at a canter. Instead, frustrations on the greens ended ­Scheffler’s hopes of a third Green Jacket.

Scheffler made a birdie at the 3rd to move to minus nine. A run of 11 pars in a row was barely any use from there but Scheffler’s status is such he can never be discounted. He made birdies at the 15th and 16th before leaving an opportunity agonisingly above ground on the 17th. As Scheffler’s second to the last trickled back off the front of the green, his race was run. The only player who could hurt McIlroy was McIlroy himself. His putt from behind the 16th putting surface was magnificent. Par. Seventeen, par. Even a bogey at the last was irrelevant.

Record books will show McIlroy won by one, at 12 under par, after a 71. With Scheffler the runner-up, third at 10 under was shared by Tyrrell ­Hatton, Justin Rose, Russell Henley and Cameron Young.

Scottie Scheffler looks disconsolate on the 18th. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters

Falling marginally short in back-to-back Masters will sting Rose. His day started in electric fashion, courtesy of a chip-in at the 1st. As Rose played an extraordinary approach to the 7th, through trees and to within a foot of the cup, it looked as if this could be his time. Rose held the lead, at 12 under, with three birdies in a row from the 7th. A wayward approach to the 11th and a loose tee shot on 12 hauled the Englishman back into the pack. Rose, typically, refused to give up and moved back to within two of McIlroy at the 15th. But Rose missed a tiddler for par at the 17th, which curtailed his latest shot at glory.

Hatton had marauded through the field, courtesy of a 66 which set 10 under as the clubhouse lead with the final groups navigating Amen Corner. Hatton’s first round of 74 cost him here, given the playing of subsequent holes 12 under. Collin Morikawa’s surge to nine under is worth of huge credit given the back problems that plagued the two-time major winner during Masters week. “I’m going to remember this one for many reasons,” Morikawa said. “Mostly how strong the mind is, to be able to go out and convince yourself that everything is going to be OK.”

Golf. A sport played between the ears. McIlroy, not content with defeating Masters demons, is determined to turn Augusta National into his playground.