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Rory McIlroy held off Scottie Scheffler to win consecutive Masters titles and join an elite group of champions.
Rory McIlroy has secured back-to-back Masters titles, holding off a late charge from Scottie Scheffler to claim a one-shot victory and further cement his place in golf history.
The Northern Irishman closed with a one-under 71 at the Masters Tournament to finish 12-under, edging world No.1 Scheffler, whose final-round 68 left him on 11-under.
A group including Russell Henley, Cameron Young, Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton shared third, a further stroke back.
McIlroy began the final round tied for the lead and briefly trailed as Rose surged. However, he steadied late while challengers faltered, becoming the first player since Tiger Woods in 2002 to defend the title.
The achievement places him alongside Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo among the few to win consecutive green jackets.
The victory also marked McIlroy's sixth major, drawing him level with Faldo, Phil Mickelson and Lee Trevino.
With his parents in attendance, he was visibly emotional after sealing the win, having already completed the career grand slam with his breakthrough Masters triumph in 2025.
Key moments came on the back nine, where McIlroy produced consecutive birdies at the 12th and 13th to seize control, despite a closing bogey.
Scheffler, who went bogey-free across the weekend, including a 65 on Saturday, fell just short after a strong charge.
Australia's Jason Day finished as the leading local hope in a tie for 12th at five-under, his challenge undone by a bogey at the fifth and double at the seventh. Adam Scott, the 2013 champion, closed with a 70 to finish tied for 24th.
The final round was also overshadowed by controversy involving Sergio Garcia. The former champion received an official warning after damaging a tee box during a visible outburst, which included striking the turf and breaking his driver.
The incident prompted criticism from spectators, though his lifetime exemption as a past winner remains in place.
