Rory McIlroy Joins Rare Company Following 2nd Successive Masters Tournament Win

Rory McIlroy fired a 1-under par score on Sunday and went back-to-back at the Augusta National to clinch a 2nd Masters Tournament win.

Rory McIlroy Joins Rare Company Following 2nd Successive Masters Tournament Win

Rory McIlroy (Image via X/@flushingitgolf)

The first time was so nice, he had to do it twice. On Sunday, Rory McIlroy joined a rare company in golf as he claimed his 2nd successive Masters Tournament win and went back-to-back at the Augusta National Golf Club.

The defense of the title started strongly for McIlroy. He shot a score of 67 in the first round and made his intentions clear. He followed this up with another impressive performance on Friday as he went low again.

A 7-under 65 score in the second round saw him establish a 6-shot lead. This was the largest 36-hole lead in Masters Tournament history. At this point it seemed he would run away with the title.

On Saturday, things got interesting as the chasing pack made a big push. While he stumbled a bit and shot a 1-over 73, the others carded some low scores. Scores of 65 from Cameron Young and Scottie Scheffler put them right into the mix.

Scheffler, the World No.1, took an early charge on Sunday. With birdies on holes 1 and 3, he went 2-under par for the day within the first 3 holes. However, his momentum took some hit as his playing partner, Haotong Li struggled in the final round.

Eventually, the 4-time major champion carded 2 more birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. He would just miss the birdie putt on the 17th hole, which eventually became the difference.

Meanwhile, McIlroy found himself in a bit of trouble early on. After a birdie on the 3rd hole, he made a double bogey on the par-3 4th hole. Following a bogey on the 6th hole, he bounced back with birdies on the 7th and 8th hole.

Two more birdies on the 12th and 13th holes kept him on top of the standings. He started the 18th hole with a 2-shot lead. His tee shot on this hole would hit a tree, which made it nerve-wrecking for some viewers.

His 2nd shot from the 8-iron landed in the bunker. He would chip the ball on the greens and had 2 putts to par for the win.

His birdie putt would just miss the hole. McIlroy then tapped in from close range after Young finished off his round to end the day with 1-under par and repeat as champion.

The 36-year-old became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2001-02 to repeat as Masters Tournament Champion. He also joined him in a rare company.

The former World No.1 became just the 4th golfer after Woods, Sir Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus to defend the Masters title. Nicklaus won back-to-back in 1965 and 1966, while Faldo reigned over the Augusta National in 1989 and 1990.

Rory McIlroy receives green jacket from Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley

After several years of heartbreaks, Rory McIlroy went back-to-back at the Augusta National to win the Masters Tournament twice. He received his second green jacket from Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley during the ceremony.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via X/@YahooSports)

Usually, the previous year’s winner is the one who puts on the green jacket on the new winner. Last year, Scottie Scheffler helped McIlroy wear the green jacket.

As McIlroy seemed to be running away with the title on Friday, some wondered who would put the jacket on him this year if he were to win. Well, the answer is Augusta National Chairman, in this case, Ridley.

The Augusta National chairman has the responsibility to put the green jacket on the winner if he repeats as champion. In 2002, Then-Augusta National Chairman Hootie Johnson was the one who put on the green jacket on Tiger Woods as he went back-to-back in this tournament.

With this win, McIlroy is now a 6-time major champion. He is now one of the 15 golfers in history to win at least 6 major tournaments.

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