AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy has again claimed the title of Masters champion, this time without the emotional display of falling to his knees in tears over achieving his lifelong dream. However, the final day at Augusta National was anything but easy for the golfer.
McIlroy experienced a significant setback during the third round, relinquishing a six-shot lead. He found himself two shots behind competitors Cameron Young and Justin Rose during an electrifying final round. However, McIlroy bounced back, securing crucial birdies around Amen Corner to solidify his position in the tournament.
In the prior year, his playoff victory over Rose marked McIlroy as only the sixth player to achieve a career Grand Slam. With the new addition of another green jacket, he joined the ranks of legend alongside Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, and Jack Nicklaus as repeat Masters winners. "I thought it was so difficult to win last year because of trying to win the Masters and the Grand Slam, and then this year I realized it’s just really difficult to win the Masters," McIlroy reflected after his one-shot victory over Scottie Scheffler.
The final round was filled with tension for McIlroy, who faced numerous challenges. His wedge shot on the par-5 15th had him nearly in trouble, while a tricky putt from behind the 16th green narrowly saved par. On the 17th hole, he was faced with a tough chip that he managed to save for par. By the time he reached the 18th hole with a precious two-shot lead, his tee shot found its way closer to the 10th fairway than intended. "I’d say walking off the 18th tee not knowing where my ball was, that was the moment of greatest stress," he admitted.
Despite the pressure, McIlroy executed a calculated 8-iron shot around the trees into a bunker, managed to blast out to 12 feet, and took two putts for bogey to finish with a score of 1-under 71. As he celebrated his victory, he raised both arms in the air and fulfilled a promise from the previous year. "My parting message last year was I can’t wait to come back and put the jacket on myself," McIlroy said during the trophy presentation. "I wasn’t quite correct."
For the first time since Woods achieved back-to-back victories in 2002, Augusta National's chairman, Fred Ridley, presented McIlroy with the green jacket. McIlroy humorously noted, "It still fits." Now with six major championships to his name, he is tied with Faldo, Lee Trevino, and Phil Mickelson. McIlroy's newfound freedom and confidence as a returning champion propelled him to the finish line.
He took control of the tournament with a daring shot over Rae’s Creek to land a birdie on the par-3 12th. Buoyed by this momentum, he followed it with a remarkable 350-yard drive on the par-5 13th, a hole where he had struggled in previous rounds, setting up another birdie and extending his lead to three shots.
He concluded the tournament with a total score of 12-under 276. President Donald Trump shared his congratulations for McIlroy on social media as he flew back to Washington from Florida, stating, "With each year, Rory is becoming more and more a LEGEND!" McIlroy is expected to compete next in the Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral, outside Miami, in two weeks.
For Rose, it was yet another heart-wrenching finish at the Masters. He initially held a two-shot lead, but his chances slipped away at Amen Corner due to two bogeys and a three-putt par. This marked his third close attempt at capturing the coveted title.
Young, who had briefly led by two shots, saw his advantage evaporate following a lengthy three-putt bogey on the par-3 sixth. He finished the back nine with nine consecutive pars, ultimately leaving him without a birdie opportunity.
Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked player, aimed to break the record for the largest 36-hole comeback in Masters history, having entered the weekend 12 shots behind. He managed to reduce the deficit to two shots but ultimately finished with 11 consecutive pars, which was insufficient in the exciting final round filled with birdie chances.
Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., finished 14 shots behind McIlroy with a score of 77, while Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., closed the tournament with a 75, leaving him 18 shots behind the champion.
Rose, age 45 and attempting to become the second-oldest Masters champion after Jack Nicklaus, had a promising start with an improbable birdie on the seventh hole. However, momentum shifted dramatically for him around Amen Corner, leading to missed opportunities.
Reflecting on the challenges of the course, McIlroy recalled advice from Tom Watson during his first Masters appearance in 2009: to wait for the right wind before taking a shot. His execution on the 12th hole, where many falter, showcased his newfound mastery of Augusta National. "That was a really good golf shot at the right time," he said. "Huge shot in the tournament."
Once haunted by his pursuit of the green jacket, McIlroy now revels in being a two-time winner, illustrating a deepening adoration for the Masters. Following last year's triumph, he dramatically asked the media what they would discuss in the following year; now the conversation is clear: no player has yet won three Masters in a row.
