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The 2026 Masters Tournament is in the books, following an epic round of golf at Augusta National Golf Course on Sunday, April 12. In the end, Rory McIlroy was able to complete the repeat after a nail-biting final round.
McIlroy entered Sunday in a tie with Cameron Young for first place at 11-under, but McIlroy struggled out of the gate with a double-bogey and bogey through the first six holes.
The defending champ regained his footing and reclaimed the lead for the final stretch, with two straight birdies on the back nine. There was a scare on Hole 16, narrowly avoiding the drink before a clutch put helped save par. Then, on Hole 18, McIlroy shanked the drive and found himself in more trouble.
MORE: 2026 Masters prize money breakdown & payouts
McIlroy bogeyed the final hole, but his two-stroke lead entering the 18th hole was enough, as he finished 12-under for the tournament and one stroke ahead of second-place finisher Scottie Scheffler.
With his win, McIlroy becomes only the fourth golfer to repeat as Masters champion and joins an elite group of golf royalty.
A full look at the list of repeat Masters Tournament champions can be seen below.
MORE: Scottie Scheffler makes Masters history despite falling short in final round
Apr 12, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy holds the Masters championship trophy during the green jacket ceremony after the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images
We’ll have to see if McIlroy jumps right back into action next week as the season continues.
Up next on the PGA Tour schedule is the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
The tournament, which is South Carolina’s only signature event on the PGA Tour, will take place from Thursday, April 16, through Sunday, April 19. The total purse is $20 million.
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McIlroy entered Sunday in a tie with Cameron Young for first place at 11-under, but McIlroy struggled out of the gate with a double-bogey and bogey through the first six holes.
The defending champ regained his footing and reclaimed the lead for the final stretch, with two straight birdies on the back nine. There was a scare on Hole 16, narrowly avoiding the drink before a clutch put helped save par. Then, on Hole 18, McIlroy shanked the drive and found himself in more trouble.
MORE: 2026 Masters prize money breakdown & payouts
McIlroy bogeyed the final hole, but his two-stroke lead entering the 18th hole was enough, as he finished 12-under for the tournament and one stroke ahead of second-place finisher Scottie Scheffler.
With his win, McIlroy becomes only the fourth golfer to repeat as Masters champion and joins an elite group of golf royalty.
A full look at the list of repeat Masters Tournament champions can be seen below.
MORE: Scottie Scheffler makes Masters history despite falling short in final round
Repeat Masters Tournament Champions
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Apr 12, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy holds the Masters championship trophy during the green jacket ceremony after the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images
| Golfer | Years |
| Rory McIlroy | 2025 & 2026 |
| Tiger Woods | 2001 & 2001 |
| Nick Faldo | 1989 & 1990 |
| Jack Nicklaus | 1965 & 1066 |
We’ll have to see if McIlroy jumps right back into action next week as the season continues.
Up next on the PGA Tour schedule is the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
The tournament, which is South Carolina’s only signature event on the PGA Tour, will take place from Thursday, April 16, through Sunday, April 19. The total purse is $20 million.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
Continue reading...
