13/04/2026 5-Minute World Tour
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Welcome to the Free Drop 5-Minute World Tour, where we get you caught up on the week that was in professional golf.
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Professional Golf
The Masters: McIlroy goes back-to-back at Augusta
Photo credit: Golf Digest/X
Rory McIlroy successfully defended his Masters title by a shot from Scottie Scheffler on a dramatic final day at Augusta National.
Freed from the burden of searching for his first Green Jacket, McIlroy stormed to a 6-shot lead through 36 holes after following a first round 5-under 67 with a Friday 65 which featured six birdies over his final seven holes.
His lead evaporated through 54 holes, however, as he battled to a 73 while Cameron Young shot a superb 65.
A number of players announced themselves as title contenders on the final day, 2025 runner-up Justin Rose and Scottie Scheffler chief among them.
Rose closed out his front-nine with three straight birdies, a run sparked by a superb approach from the pine straw after an errant drive at 7.
McIlroy made a shaky start, carding a double-bogey at the par-3 4th and a bogey-4 at 6 though these were countered by a birdie at the 3rd.
Rose’s challenge unravelled on the second-nine after he recorded costly drops at both 11 and 12 which halted his momentum and he was unable to mount a challenge thereafter.
World no. 1 Scheffler gave McIlroy something to think about as he picked up two birdies apiece on each nine in a 4-under 68 which set the clubhouse lead at 11-under.
After his early missteps, McIlroy knuckled down with birdies at the 7th and 8th. A terrific approach to 7-feet at 12 set up a birdie-2 before a further birdie-4 at 13.
A string of pars followed, highlighted by a superb par-save after an errant tee-shot at 16 which went a long to confirming his win.
With the life seemingly sucked out of the event, there was late drama when McIlroy sent his tee-shot at the 18th way right. A superb recovery – a hooked 8-iron into the greenside bunker – all but confirmed the victory and although he was unable to save par, the Northern Irishman closed out the victory.
Fun Facts & Scary Stats
- Rory McIlroy joins Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the fourth player to successfully defend The Masters title.
- When Tiger Woods completed the career Grand Slam in 2000, he won his 6th Major Championship at the 2001 Masters. McIlroy matched that feat in 2025/2026 (Credit: Justin Ray Golf).
- Rory McIlroy was 12 shots worse over his final 36 holes than he was over his first 36 holes, the second biggest 36-hole differential by a Masters champion. Sam Snead was 14 strokes better over his final 36 holes when he won in 1949 (Credit: Justin Ray Golf)