Rory McIlroy took a slice of history as he won the Masters for the second straight year, edging out a resurgent Scottie Scheffler.

McIlroy prevailed in a play-off against Justin Rose last year, finally snapping his duck at Augusta and completing the career Grand Slam.

Aafter a collapse on Saturday, as McIlroy saw the biggest ever halfway lead stage in Masters history slip from his grasp, the Northern Irishman looked as though he may have let the chance to become the first player to successfully defend their title at Augusta in 24 years pass him by.

Cameron Young had joined McIlroy at the top of the leaderboard, and a poor start to Sunday's play for the latter saw Rose nudge himself into pole position by birdying five of the first nine.

Yet after double-bogeying the fourth and dropping a shot on the sixth, McIlroy recovered his composure to birdie the next two holes.

Birdies on the 12th and 13th, and some luck when he somehow avoided the water two holes later, put him within touching distance with a two-shot lead.

Ahead of McIlroy on the course, Scheffler was putting on a late charge to apply the pressure. The world number one birdied the 15th and 16th and went agonisingly close to gaining another shot on the 17th, but the ball would just not drop.

The American finished on 11 under par with a blemish-free round of 68, becoming the first player on record (since 1942) to go bogey-free across the final two rounds at Augusta.

Yet it was not enough for Scheffler, despite a wobble from McIlroy when he sliced his tee shot on the 18th out into the trees.

A shot into the bunker followed, but a lovely chip onto the green provided McIlroy with breathing space, and though he had to settle for a bogey at the last, the 36-year-old – who had to hold back the emotion while he waited to sink the simplest of putts – sealed his repeat victory by one stroke.

pic.twitter.com/vdU5XorM8k

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2026

Now a six-time major champion, McIlroy joins Tiger Woods (2001, 2002), Jack Nicklaus (1965, 1966) and Nick Faldo (1989, 1990) on the elite list of players to go back-to-back at Augusta.

Tyrell Hatton charged up 12 places to finish tied for third on ten under by carding 66. He was level with Russell Henley, Young and Rose, who slipped up with three birdies on the back nine to endure yet more Masters frustration.

Sam Burns nailed a 60-foot putt on the 16th, only to then bogey the 17th, finishing T4 with Collin Morikawa on nine under.

Hideki Matsuyama and Jordan Spieth were big movers, with rounds of 69 and 68, respectively, seeing the duo finish T12 along with Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Patrick Cantlay and Jason Day.