Tour News
Following his monumental victory and career grand slam at the 2025 Masters, Rory McIlroy returned to Augusta this weekend with enough poise and determination to beat the field a second time in a row.
The Northern Irishman was dominant in the tournament’s initial rounds, carding 67 and 65 on the Thursday and Friday to give him an ideal 6 shot lead come the event’s halfway point.
A lacklustre 73 on the Saturday saw his lead tumble away however, and he started his final round joint with Cameron Young on 11-under par with Sam Burns close behind on 10-under.
Rory’s Sunday was a masterclass in keeping a cool head when playing under extraordinary pressure. Dropping three shots on holes 4 and 6 evened out the birdies he made on holes 3, 7 and 8, but he triumphed on amen corner coming away with birdies on holes 12 and 13.
Despite a late charge from World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, Rory held a 2-stroke lead as he took to the 18th tee. He found the trees on the right side of the fairway on his drive and pulled his second shot into a greenside bunker, but a clean bunker shots allowed him to two-putt for a bogey finish, winning the tournament by a single stroke.
We were all experiencing a mild sense of Déjà vu seeing Rory erupt with pride on the 18th green as the spectators all around him provided a thunder applause. It took him 17 years to win a major following his win at the 2014 PGA Championship, and to go on to win the Masters back-to-back was a phenomenal feat.
“I can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one Green Jacket and now I get two in a row. All my perseverance at this golf course over the years has started to pay off. It was a tough weekend but I’m so happy to hang in there and get the job done. I wanted to come back and prove last year wasn’t a fluke.”
Rory became the fourth player to win consecutive Masters victories, joining the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Nick Faldo. With 6 major victories to his name, he now has the same number of trophies as the latter.
Justin Rose was once again denied a green jacket having come second at last year’s tournament. The 45-year-old lost to Rory in 2025 and came T3 this time around alongside Cameron young and Russell Henley. “It is another little stinger. It was by no means free and clear, and nowhere close to having the job done, but I was right in position.”
Augusta National always provides a perfect weekend of golfing spectacle, and it feels like Spring is well and truly here. We’re open and ready to help you in the pro shop if you’re playing golf yourself this week.
