Rory repeats: McIlroy holds off challengers to successfully defend Masters title

Apr. 12—AUGUSTA — Rory McIlroy ran the gamut of emotions all week at Augusta National Golf Club.

Gratitude. Elation. Disappointment.

Finally, relief.

The Northern Irishman held off a slew of challengers April 12 in the final round to win the 90th Masters Tournament and successfully defend his title.

Like he did in 2025, McIlroy let the emotion come out after he tapped in the winning putt.

McIlroy joins Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-2002) as the only players to win the Masters in consecutive years.

He shot a final-round 71 to win by one shot over Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy's winning total was 12-under-par 276.

Cameron Young, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and Russell Henley tied for third at 10-under.

McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational in early March because of back spasms and then played the following week at The Players Championship. He opted to not play any events in the stretch leading up to the Masters, instead opting to fly to Augusta on a few occasions for day trips to scout Augusta National.

The strategy worked as McIlroy opened the tournament with rounds of 67-65 to open a six-shot lead, the biggest ever at the Masters midway point.

Saturday's third round brought a rollercoaster of emotions as McIlroy struggled to take advantage of a record scoring day. His 1-over 73 left him tied for the lead with Young and left the door open for a number of players to take advantage.

McIlroy is no stranger to Sunday drama, particularly after last year's up-and-down ride that culminated with him winning the green jacket on his 17th try and joining the career Grand Slam club.

This time, McIlroy made an early birdie but promptly followed with a double bogey and bogey to fall behind. Birdies at Nos. 7 and 8 put him back in the mix.

While Rose was making a mess of Amen Corner ahead of him, McIlroy made hay with birdies at Nos. 12 and 13. Pars on four of his final five holes sealed the victory.

McIlroy, fighting a balky driver all week, saved some drama for the final hole. He pushed his tee shot into the Georgia pines right of the fairway, and wound up closer to the 10th fairway than the 18th.

But he was able to salvage a bogey and secure the victory.

Scheffler, a two-time Masters champion, made early noise with birdies at Nos. 1 and 3. Then, crickets as he parred 10 consecutive holes before making birdies at Nos. 15 and 16. He finished with 68 and also distinguished himself as the first player since 1942 to play the third and final rounds without a bogey.

Rose, who lost a sudden-death playoff to McIlroy a year ago, seized control after playing the front nine in 4-under fashion. But he ran into trouble at Amen Corner with bogeys at Nos. 11 and 12 and a 3-putt par at No. 13. He finished with 70.

Young was bidding to extend a streak of players winning The Players Championship and the Masters in the same year. Scheffler and McIlroy did it the past two years.

He briefly took the lead with a birdie at No. 2, but then sputtered with bogeys at Nos. 6, 7 and 9. He did birdie No. 8, but couldn't make any birdies coming in. He finished with 73.

Hatton had the low round of the day with 6-under 66. He reeled off four consecutive birdies on Nos. 13-16.

Russell Henley, a Georgia native, shot 68 for his best Masters finish.