Rory McIlroy has become the first golfer to win back-to-back Masters titles since Tiger Woods, after a dramatic final round at Augusta National. McIlroy, who had built a six-stroke lead halfway through the tournament, found himself two strokes behind early in the final round. However, he responded with consecutive birdies and briefly took a three-stroke lead.
Despite a late scare, McIlroy held on to win by one stroke, finishing on 12 under par. This victory sees McIlroy join an elite group of golfers, including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, to have won consecutive Masters titles.
McIlroy's win also marks his sixth major title, making him the 15th golfer in history to achieve this feat. The world No 2 avoided a repeat of last year's late stumble, where he squandered a four-shot lead, to take a two-shot lead into the final hole and close out the win with a two-putt bogey. McIlroy's victory was marked by a series of twists and turns, including a dramatic stretch around Amen Corner, where he took a firm grip of the tournament with an impressive birdie at the 12th hole. The Northern Irishman's win was sealed when he overcame a late scare on the final hole, finding the front greenside bunker with his second shot before pitching out to 15 feet and securing the win with two putts.
McIlroy's reaction to the win was one of disbelief and elation, stating, 'I just can't believe I waited 17 years to get one Green Jacket and I get two in a row.' The PGA Tour now heads to South Carolina for the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head Island, while the next men's major is the PGA Championship, held at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.