Rory McIlroy wanted to 'prove last year wasn't a fluke' with historic second Masters win

Rory McIlroy has achieved a historic win at the US Masters golf tournament, taking the title for the second year in a row.

The 36-year-old, from Northern Ireland, is only the fourth player to become a back-to-back champion - joining the elite group of Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods - and matches Faldo's tally of six majors.

His win topped a nailbiting final day of making up ground after losing a record-breaking six-shot lead heading into the weekend at Augusta National in Georgia.

Starting the final day level with Cameron Young on 11 under having squandered that advantage, there were more than a few moments when McIlroy's victory looked in doubt.

There was a point when he was two behind but he finally kicked into gear with back-to-back birdies at the seventh and eighth. Then when then-leader Justin Rose played Amen Corner in two over par, McIlroy seized the initiative with birdies as the 12th and 13th to move into the outright lead again.

Even with a two-stroke advantage, he served up some drama on the 18th tee by carving his drive into the Georgia pines, where he had already spent a lot of time this week.

McIlroy posted a one-under 71 to finish on 12 under, one ahead of Scottie Scheffler, with Tyrrell Hatton's brilliant final-round 66 putting him in third spot alongside Justin Rose, Cameron Young and Russell Henley.

With victory secured, McIlroy looked up at the sky and screamed before hugging his ​caddie Harry Diamond.

McIlroy now takes the coveted green jacket, presented to all winners, for the second time.

The last consecutive US Masters wins were more than 20 years ago, with Woods winning the competition in 2001 and 2002. Before that, Faldo did the double and in 1989 and '90, while Nicklaus was the first in '65 and '66.

Speaking after his win at the official presentation, McIlroy said: "My parting message last year was 'I can't wait to come back next year and put the green jacket on myself'.

"I wasn't quite correct, because the chairman did it, but I did want to come back and prove that last year wasn't a fluke.

"This is an absolutely incredible golf tournament, so unique in so many ways.

"The Masters continues to be the shining light of the majors, and I'm so honoured and thrilled to win for the second time."

'More and more a LEGEND!'

Donald Trump congratulated McIlroy on "another Great Championship".

Writing on his Truth Social platform, the US president said: "He performed tremendously under intense pressure, something which few people would be able to even think about doing. With each year, Rory is becoming more and more a LEGEND!"

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Speaking to Sky Sports, Faldo said: "All credit to him. Incredible. He's got another major to his name.

"All he needs now is to win another US Open and another Open Championship and then he'll be a two-time grand slam champion.

"That's his goal. To get there along with the likes of Jack (Nicklaus) and Tiger (Woods).

"He's unique. Rory is the only one out of those guys to go 11 years between wins, and then he's added another one."

There were scenes of jubilation at McIlroy's hometown Holywood Golf Club in Co Down.

Zach Woods, 19, said he and his friends thought the victory was "really inspiring".

"It is great to be honest, to see a boy from our community achieve such great things," he told the Press Association.

"It pushes us to strive to do the best that we can to achieve the things that we love."

(c) Sky News 2026: Rory McIlroy wanted to 'prove last year wasn't a fluke' with historic second Masters win