Rory McIlroy is in a strong position to win the Masters. He leads by six strokes after the first two rounds.
McIlroy Eyes Back-to-Back Masters Titles
McIlroy is aiming to become only the fourth person to win the Masters in consecutive years. He looks in prime shape to position himself to be the fourth-ever back-to-back champion. If he achieves this, McIlroy will be the first repeat Masters champion in two decades.
The first ever Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club was held in 1934. Since then, only three individuals have won the tournament in consecutive years.
A Look at Previous Back-to-Back Champions
The exclusive list of back-to-back Masters champions includes some of the sport’s greatest names. These are Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.
- Jack Nicklaus was the first to achieve this feat, winning in 1965 and 1966.
- Nick Faldo then won in 1989 and 1990.
- Tiger Woods completed the trio with his wins in 2001 and 2002.
Nicklaus also holds the record for the most Masters victories with six. Faldo won three Masters overall. Woods won a total of five Masters tournaments and became the youngest Masters winner in 1997.
McIlroy’s Path to Victory
McIlroy will begin Round 3 in a pairing with Sam Burns. They are scheduled to tee off at 2:50 p.m. ET in Group 27.
McIlroy can become the first person in two decades to become a repeat Masters champion, the first since Woods.