McIlroy joins elite group with consecutive major title defenses

Rory McIlroy made history on Sunday by achieving a stunning second consecutive Masters victory, earning him a spot in an exclusive group of successful major title defenders. This impressive feat was last accomplished by Brooks Koepka, who won back-to-back PGA Championships, following in the footsteps of Tiger Woods, who defended two different majors in the 21st century. McIlroy overcame a dramatic final round, where he squandered a six-shot halfway lead and faced a Sunday scare, to claim the Green Jacket for the second year in a row, becoming the first back-to-back winner of The Masters since Woods. The defending champion responded to adversity with back-to-back birdies and successive gains, ultimately taking a two-shot lead to the 72nd hole and closing out a narrow win with a two-putt bogey. McIlroy's victory marked his sixth major title, as he finished on 12 under, one ahead of Scottie Scheffler, with Tyrrell Hatton's brilliant final-round 66 putting him in third spot alongside Justin Rose, Cameron Young, and Russell Henley. This achievement is a testament to McIlroy's skill and perseverance, as he joins an elite group of golfers who have successfully defended their major titles.