Rory McIlroy identifies key moment in defence of Masters crown

Rory McIlroy picked out his back-to-back tee shots on the 12th and 13th holes as the key moments in the defence of his Masters crown at Augusta National . McIlroy became only the fourth player to win back-to-back green jackets, holding off the challenge of Scottie Scheffler , Justin Rose and Cameron Young in a thrilling final round. Having pipped Rose in a play-off last year, the Northern Irishman was able to stand on the 18th tee with a two-shot lead, with a bogey seeing him home to join Jack Nicklaus (1965, 1966), Nick Faldo (1989, 1990) and Tiger Woods (2001, 2002) as repeat Masters winners in consecutive years.

Rory McIlroy claimed back to back green jackets (Getty Images) McIlroy had seen a six-shot lead after the second round eroded by Young during the third round and stumbled at the start on Sunday, making a double bogey on the fourth hole to fall to nine-under. But an outstanding round thereafter saw the 36-year-old reassert himself, with two birdies in Amen Corner crucial in providing the buffer to see home his sixth major title. McIlroy was one of just four players to birdie the par-three 12th with a brave and brilliant tee shot leaving a short putt, before atoning for his error last year on 13th, avoiding Rae’s Creek to gain another stroke on the field.

McIlroy reaches 12 under par with a birdie on No. 12. #themasters pic.

twitter. com/3dYecCog2V — The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2026 “It felt pretty similar to last year,” McIlroy told the host broadcaster in the Butler Cabin after sealing his defence. “I made a double [bogey] early, on the first hole last year and then the fourth this year, but I played flawless golf after that.