Rory McIlroy joined elite company Sunday at the Masters, pulling away with birdies around Amen Corner and saving some late drama to become only the fourth player to win consecutive green jackets at Augusta National.
In a final round where three players held a two-shot lead at various points, McIlroy seized control with a bold tee shot over Rae’s Creek to about 7 feet for birdie on the par-3 12th. He then ripped a 350-yard drive on the par-5 13th that set up another birdie and pushed his lead to three.
There were a few tense moments — a shot over the par-3 16th green that forced him to use the slope to get close for par, and a wild drive on the 18th that finished nearer the 10th fairway. He tapped in for bogey and carded a 1-under 71, finishing at 12-under 276, one shot ahead of Scottie Scheffler.
A year ago, McIlroy’s playoff victory over Justin Rose completed his career Grand Slam. With another green jacket, he joined Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus as repeat Masters champions.
“A few guys made a run, but nothing like Justin last year with that 66,” McIlroy said. “Some good play by me, and fortunately, some guys didn’t come after me this year.”
Justin Rose, who held a two-shot lead early, saw it evaporate around Amen Corner after two bogeys and a three-putt par. Rose, 45 and trying to become the second-oldest Masters champion after Jack Nicklaus in 1986, had earlier produced an improbable birdie from the trees at the seventh and closed the front nine with three straight birdies. But a wayward approach at the 11th and a missed chance on the 13th left him with another near miss.
“Chance that got away,” Rose said. “I was by no means free and clear… I was really in control. And the mentality was to run through the finish line, not just try and get it done. I was playing great, but just momentum shifted for me around the Amen Corner.”
Cameron Young lost his two-shot lead earlier after a long three-putt on the par-3 sixth and a bogey following a wedge into a bunker. He finished with nine straight pars. Scheffler, the world No. 1, mounted a charge from 12 back entering the weekend and stood two behind at the turn, but his round of pars on the back nine wasn’t enough. Scheffler posted a 65-68 weekend and became the first player since 1942 to go bogey-free on the weekend at Augusta, but settled for runner-up — his third second-place finish in majors.
“I put up a good fight in order to give myself a chance,” Scheffler said.
In the end, McIlroy — once tormented by the Masters chase — was ecstatic. Having ended a long quest last year, he now stands as a two-time champion whose affection for Augusta only grows. When he tapped in the final putt, there was pure joy — and the simple, tantalizing thought that no one has ever won three in a row.