Rory McIlroy retains Masters title and banks over £3.3million as he wins another Green Jacket

A dramatic final day at the Masters saw Rory McIlroy battling with Justin Rose and Cameron Young for the lead and it was the Nothern Irishman who came out on top

Rory McIlroy has retained his Masters title. The Northern Irishman becomes just the fourth player to win back-to-back championships at Augusta, after Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.

With another Green Jacket claimed, McIlroy also sees in the region of £3.35million added to his bank account. The champion secured a 12-under par victory after securing an even score under intense pressure.

The Northern Irishman overcame a sluggish start on day four to produce an outstanding exhibition of resilience to reclaim his lead from the end of day three and fight to extend it during the back nine. There was competition from the likes of Justin Rose and a marauding Scottie Scheffler, but McIlroy held his nerve to secure victory.

“I can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one Green Jacket and now I’ve got two in a row, it’s just sort of the way,” McIlroy said following his win. “I think all my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off.

“It was a tough weekend, I did the bulk of my work on Thursday and Friday, but just so so happy to hang in and get the job done.”

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Asked how special it was for his mum and dad to be there this year to witness his victory, McIlroy replied: “Yeah incredible, it’s the second major win my mum’s been at, she was at The Open in 2014.

“There was a piece of them that didn’t want to come this year, as they thought ‘okay we didn’t come last year, maybe that was the reason’, but I’m so glad they got to experience this today and we’re all going to have a great time tonight!”

It was a tournament in many ways, won in the first two days. McIlroy went round in 67 and 65 to register 12 under par before the cut. A score of 73 on day three allowed the field to come back, but McIlroy produced a steady round on the final day with nobody able to catch up.

There still would have been concerns when the 36-year-old was two over after six holes on Sunday but he quickly returned to even par after two birdies on seven and eight. After claiming consecutive birdies on 12 and 13, McIlroy ensured an unassailable gap.

Last year, McIlroy ended an 11-year wait for a major. He’d suffered heartbreaking collapses at Augusta in 2011, firing eight over on the final day, and in 2012, after being in contention for two days, finished 40th.

McIlroy secured a second-place finish in 2022 with an impressive final round but could not get over the line to earn a Green Jacket until last year in dramatic circumstances, beating Rose in a play-off.

The six-time major winner cut a relaxed figure even with the additional duties placed upon the reigning champion heading into the tournament.

Nick Faldo was full of praise for McIlroy’s efforts. “All credit to him. Incredible,” Faldo said.

“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.”