Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland claimed his second straight Masters title on Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club, finishing at 12-under 276 after a final-round 71. He edged out Scottie Scheffler by one stroke, becoming only the fourth golfer in history to defend the title successfully.
McIlroy seized control with a bold shot over Rae's Creek on the par-3 12th hole, landing 7 feet from the pin for a crucial birdie. He followed with a 350-yard drive on the par-5 13th, setting up another birdie that pushed his lead to three shots. Despite a wayward drive on the 18th that landed near the 10th fairway, he recovered with an 8-iron into a bunker and two putts for bogey, securing the win amid high pressure.
Scottie Scheffler, the world's No. 1 player, finished second at 11-under after a bogey-free weekend of 65 and 68, marking his third runner-up in majors. Justin Rose, at age 45, held a two-shot lead earlier but faltered with bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes, including a three-putt par that shifted momentum. Cameron Young, who shared the lead going into the final round, dropped back with a three-putt bogey on the sixth and another bogey on the seventh, closing with nine straight pars.
McIlroy described the win as "incredible" in a post-tournament interview, noting it was "really difficult to win the Masters" despite his preparation. His parents, Rosie and Gerry, attended this year after missing last year's event, adding a personal layer to his success. The golfer now has six major titles, tying him with Nick Faldo, Lee Trevino, and Phil Mickelson for that milestone.
President Donald Trump posted congratulations on social media, praising McIlroy for "performing tremendously under intense pressure." McIlroy's first-place finish earned him $4.5 million from the $22.5 million purse.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland claimed his second straight Masters title on Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club, finishing at 12-under 276 after a final-round 71. He edged out Scottie Scheffler by one stroke, becoming only the fourth golfer in history to defend the title successfully. This victory adds to McIlroy's growing legacy and triggers multimillion-dollar sponsor bonuses tied to his major wins, directly benefiting businesses and consumers reliant on golf endorsements.
McIlroy seized control with a bold shot over Rae's Creek on the par-3 12th hole, landing 7 feet from the pin for a crucial birdie. He followed with a 350-yard drive on the par-5 13th, setting up another birdie that pushed his lead to three shots. Despite a wayward drive on the 18th that landed near the 10th fairway, he recovered with an 8-iron into a bunker and two putts for bogey, securing the win amid high pressure.
Scottie Scheffler, the world's No. 1 player, finished second at 11-under after a bogey-free weekend of 65 and 68, marking his third runner-up in majors. Justin Rose, at age 45, held a two-shot lead earlier but faltered with bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes, including a three-putt par that shifted momentum. Cameron Young, who shared the lead going into the final round, dropped back with a three-putt bogey on the sixth and another bogey on the seventh, closing with nine straight pars.
McIlroy described the win as "incredible" in a post-tournament interview, noting it was "really difficult to win the Masters" despite his preparation. His parents, Rosie and Gerry, attended this year after missing last year's event, adding a personal layer to his success. The golfer now has six major titles, tying him with Nick Faldo, Lee Trevino, and Phil Mickelson for that milestone.
President Donald Trump posted congratulations on social media, praising McIlroy for "performing tremendously under intense pressure." McIlroy's victory earned him $4.5 million from the $22.5 million purse, funds that flow into sponsorship deals affecting global markets. As a two-time Masters champion, he joins Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Nick Faldo in an exclusive club, with his next event likely the Cadillac Championship, offering fans a chance to see his continued dominance.
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For example, the sources report that Scheffler's bogey-free weekend was the first at Augusta since 1942.