McIlroy Wins Second Consecutive Masters at Augusta National
Rory McIlroy won the 90th Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026, securing a one-stroke victory over Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy finished with a 72-hole score of 12-under-par 276, shooting a final round of one-under 71.
The victory marks his second consecutive Masters win and his sixth major championship title.
McIlroy became the fourth golfer to win consecutive Masters titles, joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. The tournament was the 90th edition of the event.
Tournament Timeline
First Round
McIlroy shot a five-under-par 67 in the opening round on Thursday, sharing the first-round lead with Sam Burns. He described his start as "scrappy" with wayward tee shots over the first seven holes before his play improved from the eighth hole onward, including three consecutive birdies starting at the par-5 13th hole.
Other scores from the first round included Jason Day and Patrick Reed at three-under (69), and Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele, and Justin Rose at two-under (70). Bryson DeChambeau shot a four-over 76, which included a triple-bogey on the 11th hole. Jon Rahm shot a six-over 78.
Second Round
McIlroy extended his lead in the second round, finishing at 12-under par with a 36-hole lead of six strokes, the largest in Masters history. McIlroy birdied six of his final seven holes, including a chip-in on the 17th hole. Patrick Reed and Sam Burns were tied for second at six-under par. Jason Day finished at four-under par after a second-round 69, placing him in a tie for seventh.
Min Woo Lee and Cameron Smith did not make the cut. Bryson DeChambeau also missed the cut after finishing at six-over par.
McIlroy said about his play, "Even when I am missing the fairway, I say to myself, just keep swinging."
Third Round
McIlroy shot a one-over-par 73 in the third round on Saturday, reducing his six-stroke lead to a tie with Cameron Young at 11-under par. Young shot a seven-under 65, matching the low round of the tournament to that point. Sam Burns was one stroke behind at 10-under. Shane Lowry was two strokes back, and Jason Day and Justin Rose were three strokes behind at eight-under. Scottie Scheffler shot a 65 and was four strokes behind.
Several other players moved into contention. The field's scoring average for the third round was 70.63, one of the lowest third-round averages in Masters history. Ten players shot 68 or better. Jason Day's round of 68 included birdies on four consecutive holes starting at the 12th. Shane Lowry made a hole-in-one on the par-3 sixth hole, becoming the first player in Masters history with two career aces at Augusta National.
McIlroy said, "This golf course has a way of, you know, when you're not quite feeling it, you struggle. You have to dig deep, and I felt like I did that... I still have a great chance. I'm in the final group."
Jason Day said, "I feel like the guys that are leading right now have all the pressure. I'm just the chaser."
Final Round
McIlroy entered the final round tied with Cameron Young. During the round, McIlroy made a double bogey on the par-3 fourth hole and a bogey on the par-3 sixth hole, briefly falling behind. He then made birdies on the seventh, eighth, 12th, and 13th holes to regain the lead. On the final hole, his tee shot went into the trees. His second shot landed in a greenside bunker, and he made bogey to finish the round with a 71.
Scottie Scheffler, who started the final round seven shots behind, closed with a four-under 68. He played the final two rounds without a bogey. Cameron Young shot a final-round 73 and finished tied for third. Justin Rose, who held a two-shot lead during the round, made bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes.
Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, Justin Rose, and Cameron Young tied for third at 10-under par. Collin Morikawa finished at nine-under par.
Key Player Statements
Rory McIlroy said, "I thought it was so difficult to win last year because of trying to win the Masters and the Grand Slam, and then this year I realized it's just really difficult to win the Masters."
Scottie Scheffler said, "I put up a good fight in order to give myself a chance."
Justin Rose said, "Chance that got away. I was by no means free and clear... but I was right in position. I was playing great, but just momentum shifted for me around the Amen Corner."
Cameron Young said, "In terms of the golf, I played plenty well enough to win today... If you go through the back nine, I pretty much had a birdie chance on every hole and didn't make any. That's how it goes sometimes."
Tournament Statistics
McIlroy hit 55% of fairways and 48 of 72 greens in regulation. He held a six-shot lead after 36 holes, which was gone after 54 holes. The eventual Masters champion has been within four shots of the lead after 36 holes in each of the past 14 tournaments.
Australian Players
Jason Day finished tied for 12th at five-under par, securing an invitation to the 2027 Masters. He shot a final-round 75, recording a double bogey on the par-3 seventh hole and no birdies.
Day said, "I know I can play well around here. It's just obviously when you get the opportunities, just take them."
Adam Scott finished tied for 24th at two-under par. He said, "I just never really got it going. I guess I blame the putter."
Min Woo Lee and Cameron Smith missed the cut.
Rivalry and Background
McIlroy-DeChambeau Rivalry
Bryson DeChambeau expressed a desire to compete against McIlroy, describing their history as a rivalry that benefits the sport. DeChambeau stated, "Do I respect him as an individual? 100 per cent. Do I want to beat him every time I see him? Absolutely."
Their competitive history includes the 2024 US Open, where DeChambeau won after McIlroy missed putts in the closing holes, and the 2025 Masters, where McIlroy won while DeChambeau finished tied for fifth. An Amazon documentary about McIlroy's 2025 Masters win detailed a disagreement between the two players on the ninth green regarding whose turn it was to putt.
McIlroy's Mindset After First Masters Win
McIlroy stated he felt more relaxed entering the 2026 Masters after winning his first Masters title in 2025, which completed the career Grand Slam. He said he felt "so much more relaxed" and that the question had shifted from "what if?" to "what now?" McIlroy noted he has approximately "10 good shots" remaining at winning the tournament and considers his experience at Augusta National an advantage. He also stated he planned to continue competing and aims to achieve further accomplishments in the sport.
McIlroy's Key Shots in 2025 Masters
McIlroy identified five specific shots as critical to his 2025 Masters victory:
- A second shot on No. 10 on Friday from 175 yards to three feet
- A second shot on No. 13 on Friday from the pine straw with a 4-iron
- A wedge shot on No. 3 on Sunday after a double bogey on the first hole
- A recovery shot from the trees on No. 7 on Sunday
- A second shot on No. 15 on Sunday after his lead had disappeared
Course Access Debate
After the tournament, a debate emerged regarding McIlroy's preparation methods. McIlroy stated he skipped three PGA Tour events before the Masters to practice at Augusta National using his private jet from his home in Florida. He described making day trips to play practice rounds and return home the same day.
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith said on his program that McIlroy's actions gave him an "unfair advantage" in terms of course familiarity, while clarifying McIlroy did not break any rules.
PGA Tour player Kevin Kisner called the fairness debate "the dumbest argument I've ever heard," stating all qualified players can arrange practice rounds.
Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee said every qualified professional could choose to practice early at Augusta and that McIlroy's only advantage was his skill.
Other top finishers including Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, and Justin Rose also did not play in the three tournaments preceding the Masters.