What Rory McIlroy's 2026 Masters win means for his career
Rory McIlroy captured his second Masters title on Sunday. Here's what the win means for his legacy, career trajectory and place in golf history.
On Friday, it was unfathomable. On Saturday, it seemed improbable. On Sunday, it was inevitable.
That’s Rory McIlroy in a nutshell — especially at Augusta National. "I don't make it easy," the Northern Irishman said Sunday after successfully defending his Masters title. He is just the fourth man in Masters history to go back to back, joining an exclusive club whose only other members are Jack Nicklaus ('65, '66), Nick Faldo ('89, '90) and Tiger Woods ('01, '02).
The unfathomable Friday was McIlroy's six-shot lead — the largest 36-hole lead in Masters history. The improbable Saturday saw the 36-year-old give up said lead, shooting a 1-over 73 to enter the final round as the co-leader with Cameron Young. The inevitable Sunday result came in spite of the odds seemingly stacked against him.
Young was beside McIlroy, having won just a few weeks ago at The Players, and a star-studded leaderboard was breathing down both of their necks. At one point, McIlroy dropped to 9 under — two back of the lead — but he rallied to shoot a 1-under 71. Despite some low scores from the morning wave, a gusty afternoon prevented anyone from matching his 12 under — the same number he was at after 36 holes.
Continue to the original source for the full article.