Masters Golf Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his tee shot on the sixth hole during the final round of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Ashley Landis/AP)
Masters Golf Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after missing a putt on the 15th hole during the final round of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Eric Gay/AP)
Masters Golf Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, walks to green on the seventh hole during the final round of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (David J. Phillip/AP)
Masters Golf Scottie Scheffler hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
APTOPIX Masters Golf Justin Rose, of England, reacts after missing a putt on the 16th hole during the final round of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy joined more elite company Sunday at the Masters when he pulled away with a pair of birdies around Amen Corner and, as usual, saved a little drama for the end before taking his place in Augusta National history as only the fourth back-to-back champion.
In a final round where three players had a two-shot lead, McIlroy seized control for good with a bold shot over Rae’s Creek to 7 feet for birdie on the par-3 12th. Then he blistered a 350-yard drive on the par-5 13th that set up another birdie to move three shots ahead.
There were a few dicey moments, including a wild drive on the 18th that wound up closer to the 10th fairway. But he tapped in for bogey and a 1-under 71 for a one-shot victory.
A year ago, his playoff victory over Justin Rose gave him the career Grand Slam.
With another green jacket, McIlroy joined Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus as the only repeat winners of the Masters.
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