Shooting a 74 at Augusta National After Rory McIlroy’s Second Green Jacket

On April 13, 2026, Rory McIlroy secured his second consecutive Masters Tournament victory, becoming only the fourth golfer in history to win back-to-back green jackets at Augusta National Golf Club. The Northern Irishman carded a final-round 71 to finish at 12-under 276, edging out world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler by a single stroke to claim his sixth major championship.

McIlroy’s triumph came exactly one year after completing the career Grand Slam with a playoff win over Justin Rose. In his post-victory remarks, he acknowledged the rarity of repeating as Masters champion, noting that only Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90), and Tiger Woods (2001-02) had previously achieved the feat. “I said at the end of my speech last year, I’d hopefully see everyone next year where I’m putting the Green Jacket back on myself,” McIlroy told BBC Sport. “I wasn’t quite correct there but the next best thing is having the chairman put it on.”

It’s pretty rare. We had to practise it before we went into Butler Cabin because he’d never done it before.

Rory McIlroy, BBC Sport

Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley presented McIlroy with the green jacket after the final round, a duty that traditionally falls to the defending champion but was assumed by Ridley due to the absence of a repeat winner from the previous year. McIlroy reflected on the moment, saying, “It’s pretty rare… I said at the end of my speech last year, I’d hopefully see everyone next year where I’m putting the Green Jacket back on myself. I wasn’t quite correct there but the next best thing is having the chairman put it on.”

He came to find me, which I thought was amazing. He left me a lovely note….

Rory McIlroy on Sir Nick Faldo, BBC Sport

Sir Nick Faldo, a two-time consecutive Masters winner himself, sought out McIlroy after the ceremony to offer his congratulations. McIlroy described the gesture as meaningful, stating, “He came to find me, which I thought was amazing. He left me a lovely note.” The exchange underscored the significance of joining Faldo in the exclusive club of golfers who have successfully defended the Masters title.

McIlroy’s victory was built on resilience, particularly after a double bogey on the first nine holes. He steadied his round with two birdies on the Amen Corner stretch — holes 11, 12, and 13 — which proved pivotal in holding off Scheffler’s late charge. Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy said, “I did want to come back here and prove that last year wasn’t a fluke.”

Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course – the space between your ears.

Attributed to Bobby Jones, co-founder of Augusta National

Finishing at 12-under 276, McIlroy joined an elite group of multiple-time Masters champions. His win marked the 90th playing of the tournament and reinforced Augusta National’s reputation as a stage where mental fortitude is as crucial as technical skill. As noted in Golf Digest, McIlroy later reflected on his experience playing the course the day after his victory, stating he had played “about as well as I could have hoped,” though specific details of that round were not elaborated in the verified sources.

With this victory, McIlroy cements his legacy among the modern greats of the sport. His back-to-back Masters wins place him alongside legends of the game and affirm his ability to perform under the immense pressure of golf’s most prestigious stage. The 2026 Masters will be remembered not only for the historic repeat but for the sportsmanship and tradition that surrounded the event, from the jacket presentation to the quiet words shared between champions past and present.