Masters reation as Rory McIlroy becomes one of the game's greats by holding off the world's best to become only the fourth man to win successive titles
McIlroy joins Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo in elite group to have won back-to-back titles at Augusta
McIlroy shot a final-day 71 to finish on 12 under, one stroke clear of world number one Scottie Scheffler, on another Masters Sunday for the ages
"I can't believe I waited 17 times to get one Green Jacket and now I get two in a row," said McIlroy, who clinched his sixth major to draw level with England's Sir Nick Faldo
Justin Rose, 45, looked to be creating his own fairytale story when he moved into a one-shot lead midway through his final round but dropped shots at Amen Corner
Trish Johnson
Former Europe Solheim Cup player on BBC Radio 5 Live
The thing I love most about him is that he's an entertainer, and that is his greatest quality. He knows golf is an entertainment sport, and he entertains in so many different ways - not just with his ability, but with his body language, his fallibility, and all the things we all go through when we're playing golf.
You see that in Rory McIlroy, except we don't have his genius.
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I was travelling back from North Carolina yesterday, and the plane took off just as Rory hit his tee shot on 18… it was a nerve-racking wait to see if he went on to win! Proud NI man this morning.
Zachary, Northern Ireland (still in transit home)
How do you explain what McIlroy has gone through at Augusta?
After so many near misses, even the most optimistic of McIlroy fans would have been questioning whether he'd ever get his hands on a green jacket.
Of course, he ended that wait in 2025 in dramatic fashion as he finally got over the line.
But 12 months later he stands as one of only four players to have one back-to-back titles in Georgia.
"I can't believe I waited 17 times to get one Green Jacket and now I get two in a row," said McIlroy.
"All my perseverance at this golf course over the years has started to pay off."
Image source, Getty ImagesWith a tap into the hole, a look to the sky and a release of emotion, another chapter of golfing history was complete.
A year on from his first Augusta triumph, Rory McIlroy became only the fourth man to defend the Masters title.
He joins esteemed company in Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods, who also donned the Green Jacket in successive years.
But what were the key shots that helped the Northern Irishman on his way to consecutive victories at Augusta National?
McIlroy hits three birdies in a row to move into joint lead
McIlroy chips in on 17 to extend Masters lead
McIlroy sinks back-to-back birdies to take three shot lead
'A rare repeat winner' McIlroy retains Masters title
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The way Rory goes about winning competitions is what makes him who he is - absolute cinema. He'll never do it the easy way!
Ben Simms, Northern Ireland
Iain Carter
BBC golf correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live
Rory McIlroy wants to climb the ladders of history - we know that. In McIlroy, we've got someone who is now into a phase of his career where he's completed the career Grand Slam; all of that conversation has gone.
He's got a second Masters Green Jacket, and it's not about freewheeling - it's about playing with freedom, with those achievements in the background, knowing: "I am the man to beat."
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The exhaustion this morning at work is totally worth it. I actually texted on here yesterday, tipping Scottie Scheffler to win. At one point, when he came on strong, I thought he might just do it, but McIlroy refused to buckle and produced a granite champion's performance. Well done, Rory.
Max
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport golf reporter
There had been doubts. Rory McIlroy exuded serenity on the first two days as he surged into a record six-shot lead at the halfway stage, even though he was still far from his best off the tee.
The same issue caught up with him in Saturday's third round when he could not take advantage of scoreable conditions and allowed the field to close the gap.
Like all great players, McIlroy ironed out his swing kinks and sacrificed distance with the driver for a greater accuracy which underpinned a gutsy one-under 71 in Sunday's finale.
The ability to stay patient and solve the problems which he faced was the key as McIlroy joined Jack Nicklaus, Faldo and Tiger Woods as back-to-back winners.
Would McIlroy have been able to show the same resilience if he had not already claimed the Green Jacket? He did not think so.
Throughout the past year McIlroy has insisted how he was returning as a different player and a different man.
Over the past four days he has shown it was truly transformative.
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A wonderful final day at Augusta. It had everything - excitement, acute disappointment, and most importantly, some great golf. What a refreshing reminder of how good American golf is after Bethpage. The week rightfully belongs to Rory - he's magic, pure magic.
Richard
With no current champion to place the Green Jacket on Rory McIlroy, he was presented his latest piece of Masters tailoring from Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley.
"It still fits," said McIlroy.
I guess he could not have presented himself it.
'Perseverance' has paid off - McIlroy on second Masters win
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What did we all make of Rory McIlroy's win? Where did you watch it?
A late finish and an early start for many of us this morning.
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A two-shot lead heading up the final hole meant a bogey was enough for Rory McIlroy to land his second straight Green Jacket.
It was the simplest of finishes on the 18th.
'A rare repeat winner' McIlroy retains Masters title
Image source, Getty ImagesRory McIlroy joins an illustrious list of players to win the Masters in successive years.
Here is a reminder Rory McIlroy's best shots on Sunday.
McIlroy holds nerve to win second successive Masters
-12 R McIlroy (NI); -11 S Scheffler (US); -10 T Hatton (Eng), R Henley US, J Rose (Eng), C Young (US)
Selected: -9 C Morikawa (US); -8 X Schauffele (US); -5 J Spieth (US); -4 M Fitzpatrick (Eng); -3 L Aberg (Swe)
Even by his standards, it was a stressful weekend for McIlroy.
For a golfer of such ability, he doesn't half put supporters through the wringer.
"I don't make it easy. I used to make it easy back in my early 20s when I was winning these things by eight shots," said McIlroy.
"It's hard to win golf tournaments, especially around here.
"You've had maybe a couple of runaway winners over the years but it always seems to be a very tight finish at this golf course.
"I thought it was so difficult to win last year because of trying to win the Masters and the grand slam, and then this year I realised it's just really difficult to win the Masters.
"Just absolutely delighted to be able to get it done. Having a six-shot lead going into the weekend it would have been a bitter pill to swallow if I wasn't able to get myself over the finish line."
Image source, Getty ImagesJonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport golf reporter
Rory McIlroy underlined why he is one of the game's greats by holding off the world's best to become only the fourth man to win successive Masters titles.
McIlroy's belief that finally landing the Green Jacket last year would pave the way for more major victories proved prophetic.
Twelve months ago, the 36-year-old from Northern Ireland ended an 11-year wait to complete the career Grand Slam by winning at Augusta National, a victory which he felt would allow him to play with more freedom when he returned in the future.
That is exactly what he has been able to do - at the first opportunity.
McIlroy shot a final-day 71 to finish on 12 under, one stroke clear of world number one Scottie Scheffler, on another Masters Sunday for the ages.
Who would have predicted this two years ago?
Rory McIlroy has done it again.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images