Rory McIlroy has created more major history by successfully defending his title at The Masters, overcoming a dramatic Sunday to emerge victorious at Augusta National. McIlroy initially held the largest 36-hole lead in tournament history but found himself in a shared lead heading into the final day. Despite trailing playing partners Cameron Young and Justin Rose at various points during the final round, McIlroy recovered from falling two behind to secure another dramatic win. He posted back-to-back birdies from the seventh to get back on track, adding further birdies around Amen Corner to move three ahead with five to play, before closing out an impressive victory despite bogeying his 72nd hole for the second successive year.
This win sees McIlroy match Sir Nick Faldo's tally of six major titles, becoming just the fourth player to win back-to-back editions of The Masters, following in the footsteps of Jack Nicklaus, Faldo, and Tiger Woods. "I'm still in disbelief that I had to wait 17 years for my first Green Jacket, and now I've won two in a row," McIlroy said.
"I think my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has finally started to pay off. It was a tough weekend, but I'm thrilled to have hung in there and gotten the job done." McIlroy's final-round 71 included five birdies, a bogey, and a double-bogey, with numerous players in contention during a thrilling major Sunday. Here's a hole-by-hole breakdown of how McIlroy secured another major triumph...