AUGUSTA — Rory McIlroy made history again Sunday at Augusta National.
The Irishman captured his second straight Masters, joining an exclusive group of back-to-back champions.
McIlroy surged with a flurry of midround birdies to finish 12-under, one stroke ahead of Scottie Scheffler.
“I can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and I get two in a row,” McIlroy said.
It wasn’t always a sure thing.
McIlroy entered the final round tied with Cam Young at 11-under, then stumbled early with a double bogey and a bogey through his first six holes.
He responded with four birdies and a steady stretch of pars to take a two-shot lead to the final hole.
His drive at 18 veered right, and his approach with an 8-iron found a bunker short left of the green. McIlroy recovered to make bogey and secure the victory.
After tapping in the final putt, McIlroy tilted his head back, clenched both fists and let out a yell.
Later, Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley helped McIlroy slip on his green jacket, a role typically performed by the defending champion.
Last year’s win made McIlroy, 36, just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam by winning all four majors — the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship.
This time, he became the fourth to win consecutive green jackets, alongside Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).
“I don’t want to put a number on it, but I feel like this win is just — I don’t want to say a stop on the journey," McIlroy said. “But yeah, it’s just a part of the journey. I still have things I want to achieve.”
Scheffler missed his own chance at history. Seeking a third Masters title, he shot weekend rounds of 65 and 68 to briefly threaten McIlroy. Scheffler, 29, became the first player since World War II to play the third and fourth rounds bogey-free.
“Overall I’m not going to hold too many regrets,” Scheffler said. “But yeah, definitely a bit disappointed.”
Credit: Hyosub Shin/Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com
Credit: Hyosub Shin/Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com
Four players, including Young, finished tied for third at 10-under. Young has recorded top-seven finishes in each of the four majors and won The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass last month. He briefly held the lead on the first nine Sunday, but couldn’t finish off victory on golf’s biggest stage.
“There is no negative to take away, other than obviously I would’ve loved a different result,” said Young, the 28-year-old New York native. “In terms of golf, I played plenty well enough to win.”
Justin Rose, who fell to McIlroy in a playoff last year, former University of Georgia golfer Russell Henley and Tyrrell Hatton were also two shots back.
In the end, the 90th edition of the Masters was another milestone for McIlroy. His parents, Gerry and Rosie McIlroy, watched him win after not attending last year. So, too, did his wife Erica and five-year-old daughter Poppy. McIlroy became emotional when speaking about his family’s presence.
His tone turned to determination at mention of the future. He’s now won six career major tournaments, tied with Faldo, Lee Trevino and Phil Mickelson for the 12th-most of all time.
No player has won three Masters in a row. There’s plenty of history potentially to be made.
Said McIlroy: “I certainly don’t want to stop here.”
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
