McIlroy Creates History with Thrilling Masters Victory

Rory McIlroy has cemented his place in golf history with a dramatic title defense at The Masters, overcoming a rollercoaster Sunday to secure his second consecutive win at Augusta National. McIlroy's triumph saw him equal Sir Nick Faldo's record of six major titles and become just the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters, joining an elite group that includes Jack Nicklaus, Faldo, and Tiger Woods. The world No 2 trailed playing partners Cameron Young and Justin Rose at various points during the final round but produced a stunning comeback, posting back-to-back birdies to get back on track and eventually closing out an impressive victory despite a bogey on his 72nd hole. 'I'm thrilled to have won two Green Jackets in a row,' McIlroy said. 'It's a testament to my perseverance at this tournament over the years, and I'm grateful to have come out on top.' McIlroy's final-round 71 included five birdies, a bogey, and a double-bogey, with several players in contention during a thrilling major Sunday. Here's a hole-by-hole breakdown of McIlroy's dramatic win... McIlroy made history with his Masters win, and you can stream the majors and more with no contract. The Masters LIVE! Final round as it happened, Rose rues missed opportunity at Augusta, and Young opened with a two-putt par after finding the fairway bunker off the tee. McIlroy hit two good shots into the green but missed a 10-foot birdie chance, with a par two strokes better than he managed to start his final round last year. The leaderboard was tightly packed, with Burns, playing in the group ahead, finding a first-hole birdie to make it a three-way tie at the top. Score: -11 Young, McIlroy, Burns (1). McIlroy had to lay up from the fairway bunker but hit a wedge to within 10 feet for his third shot. Young's pitch over a bunker trickled to 11 feet and set up the birdie, which gave him the solo lead when McIlroy failed to convert his effort. Burns had undone his fast start after finding trees off the tee and posting a double-bogey seven. Score: -12 Young, -11 McIlroy, -9 Burns (2). The final round was filled with drama, as McIlroy pulled his tee shot left of the green and hit a good chip over the bunker to nine feet, where a three-putt double-bogey dropped him back to 10 under. Young two-putted from the front of the green and jumped two clear. Score: -12 Young, -10 McIlroy. McIlroy added further birdies around Amen Corner to move three ahead with five to play, then closed out an impressive victory despite bogeying his 72nd hole for a second successive year. The win marked a historic moment for McIlroy, who reflected on his victory, saying, 'It felt pretty similar to last year. I made a double early on the first hole last year and I made a double on four this year. I played flawless golf after that.' The next men's major is the PGA Championship from May 14-17, held at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania, also live on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.