Sir Nick Faldo’s immediate reaction after Rory McIlroy wins The Masters for a second time

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Rory McIlroy became the fourth-ever player, and the first since Tiger Woods, to retain their Masters championship in 2026.

The Northern Irishman won his sixth major championship in dramatic fashion, taking a lead on the second nine and hanging on to win by one over the charging Scottie Scheffler.

Sir Nick Faldo, also a six-time major winner and the only other European to win The Masters back-to-back, was on commentary during McIlroy’s win, and shared his thoughts on the 36-year-old matching his major tally.

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Sir Nick Faldo reacts to Rory McIlroy winning back-to-back Masters

Faldo, who called McIlroy the greatest European player of all time after his win last year, described him as unique during his celebrations.

He said, “Relief is probably the word. He put himself through the ringer. He obviously did a great job last night. I would have thought he was troubled, he was missing it left and right and there is nothing worse for a professional golfer, especially off the tee.

“The short irons were going left at the wrong time, it cost him those shots at 11 and 12.

So he did a great job last night fixing it and hit the best shots today. He fended off everybody, managed to get his nose in front and everyone had a run at it.

“It was incredible, fantastic. Now he has got another US Open and Open Championship. That’s his goal, to be a two-time Grand Slam champion. He is unique. He is absolutely unique. Rory is the only one after going 10 or 11 years to then add another one.

“We already knew he was unique and a special golfer and he can still fine tune his game and get a little bit better. He is going to enjoy himself for a month or so and then start preparing for Shinnecock and the US Open.”

High praise from Faldo, who is always quick to tip his cap to this legend of the game.

Rory McIlroy becomes undisputed best European player of all-time

After he won the Career Grand Slam last year, many thought McIlroy became the best player ever on his side of the pond. But it wasn’t beyond doubt.

Faldo still had his back-to-back Masters wins, and had more major championships than McIlroy. Now the Northern Irishman has tied him in both departments.

McIlroy is the only European with all four major titles, and winning six majors brings you into a new stratosphere. There is simply no European on his level now.

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