McIlroy Retains Masters, Wins Second Straight Green Jacket
Rory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters at Augusta, claiming his second straight Masters and sixth major with a 12-under total, edging Scottie Scheffler by one shot.
The GuardianHow, not what, McIlroy does, makes him golf’s successor to Ballesteros | Ewan Murray
USA TODAYScottie Scheffler had Masters complaint about course setup after comeback
Associated PressRory McIlroy a Masters champion again and the chase is on for more majors
Straight Arrow NewsA 'Rory repeat': McIlroy wins second straight Masters title
Overview
Rory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters at Augusta National, defending his title and finishing one shot ahead of Scottie Scheffler after a final-round 71.
The victory gives McIlroy his sixth major and makes him one of four players to win consecutive Masters titles, moving him into elite company with multiple back-to-back champions.
Scottie Scheffler praised the competitive finish but said after the tournament he was unhappy with course setup and referenced his Friday 2-over 74 from the morning wave.
McIlroy won with a 12-under total, held a six-shot lead in the third round, and Scheffler closed with rounds of 65 and 68 to rise from 12 shots back to one behind.
McIlroy said he won’t set a number of future majors, noted taking three weeks off before the Masters was a useful blueprint, and the next major starts May 15.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame McIlroy's victory as a historic, triumphant comeback, using celebratory language and legacy comparisons. They emphasize drama and resilience through word choices like "electric final round" and "beautiful chip out," prioritize quotes about difficulty and awe, and arrange details to foreground history (comparisons to Woods, Nicklaus) over critical perspectives.