Rory McIlroy holds nerve to be the Master again as rivals succumb to tension | The Masters

You wonder how the hell Augusta National managed to inflict such psychological torture on Rory McIlroy all these years. Or maybe that’s precisely the point, that McIlroy’s end of his Masters hoodoo in 2025 has put him in a new headspace where failure is not an option. It turns out the Green Jackets are like London buses. Back at Augusta, where he became only the sixth man in history to achieve a career grand slam, McIlroy once again entered the record books. He is now the fourth golfer to successfully defend the Masters, after Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods. As a six-time major winner, he surpassed Seve Ballesteros.

What next, Rory? He could walk Rae’s Creek. McIlroy’s latest Masters triumph came as the 36-year-old was considerably below his best for much of the tournament. This only highlights his excellence.

McIlroy was emotional as he paid tribute to his parents, who attended the awards ceremony. “I wanted to come back here and prove that last year wasn’t a fluke,” he said. “The Masters continues to be the shining light of the majors. I am very honored and thrilled to win for the second time.”

McIlroy’s genius propelled him into the pantheon of golf greats. His propensity for getting involved in major drama is what makes his journey so fascinating. McIlroy held a six-shot lead at the halfway point in this major, which disappeared after 54 holes. The Northern Irishman’s swing had lost its wonderful and distinctive rhythm. As McIlroy made a double bogey at the 4th on Sunday, before dropping another shot at the 6th, obituaries were being prepared.

Those who doubted McIlroy were ignoring not only his talent but also his tenacity. He was not willing to give up his Masters title. Under the scorching Georgia sun, on a course made particularly tricky by gusts of wind, McIlroy fought back. He made birdies at the 7th and 8th before making a statement at the 12th, where a deuce put the same number of shots between McIlroy and the field. With a birdie at the 13th, McIlroy was three clear. He had cleared the par five with a 350-yard drive.

Mere mortals are wondering how on earth you could feel your arms in this sports scenario. McIlroy looked shaky on the 15th, where he drove into some wood on the right. His third shot, a relatively simple shot, was closer to the pond than he expected. Murmurs once again erupted from the galleries at the 16th, where McIlroy’s iron bounced onto the green. He had to play at worst the last three games plus one to avoid the playoffs. Augusta even plays with the emotions of her champions.

Scottie Scheffler emerged as McIlroy’s main threat. Well, he’s not the world number 1 for no reason. If Scheffler’s putter had performed at a slightly higher level than through 72 holes, he could have won the Masters in a canter. Instead, frustrations on the greens ended Scheffler’s hopes of a third Green Jacket.

Scheffler birdied the 3rd to move to nine under. A run of 11 straight pars was virtually useless from there, but Scheffler’s status is such that he can never be dismissed. He made birdies on 15 and 16 before leaving an opportunity agonizingly over the ground on 17. As Scheffler’s penultimate shot came back to the front of the green, his run was over. The only player who could hurt McIlroy was McIlroy himself. His putt behind the 16th putting surface was magnificent. By. Seventeen, para. Even a bogey ultimately didn’t matter.

The record books will show McIlroy winning by one, at 12 under par, after a 71. With Scheffler as runner-up, third place at 10 under was shared by Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Rose, Russell Henley and Cameron Young.

A lack of success in back-to-back Masters will sting Rose. His day started off electric, thanks to a chip-in at 1st. As Rose played an extraordinary approach to the 7th, through the trees and within a foot of the cup, it looked like this might be his moment. Rose held the lead, at 12 under, with three consecutive birdies starting at the 7th. A wayward approach to the 11th and a loose tee shot at the 12th brought the Englishman back into the pack. Rose, generally speaking, refused to give up and came back to within two of McIlroy in the 15th. But Rose missed a shot for par at the 17th, curtailing her last chance at glory.

Hatton had marauded the field, thanks to a 66 that established 10 under as the clubhouse leader, with the final groups sailing into Amen Corner. Hatton’s opening round 74 cost him here, given play on the following holes at 12 under. Collin Morikawa’s rise to nine under deserves huge credit given the back problems that plagued the two-time major winner during Masters week. “I’m going to remember this one for many reasons,” Morikawa said. “Above all, the strength of the mind is being able to go out and convince yourself that everything will be okay.”

Golf. A sport that is played between the ears. McIlroy, not content with conquering Masters demons, is determined to make Augusta National his playground.