Rory McIlroy ended his wait for a fifth major title with a playoff victory over Justin Rose at Augusta. McIlroy completed a career Grand Slam with the dramatic win.
McIlroy Reflects on Masters Victory
For the first time in his career, Rory McIlroy will arrive at Augusta as a Masters champion. McIlroy won’t be carrying the burden of having never won a green jacket as he prepares for the first major championship of the season at Augusta National Golf Club.
Nearly a year ago, McIlroy made a 4-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to defeat England’s Justin Rose on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff. With his long-awaited Masters victory, McIlroy became only the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam.
“No, this is going to be the first time I drive down Magnolia Lane, and it’s all going to be about enjoying my week,” McIlroy said. “You know, enjoying the perks that come along with being a Masters champion: having a parking space in the champions’ car park to using the champions’ locker room. You know, hosting the dinner on Tuesday night.
“The thing is, I know I get to go back to the Masters Tournament for the rest of my life, and that’s quite a freeing feeling.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
Can McIlroy do it again? Will Scottie Scheffler find his groove and slip on a green jacket for the third time in the past five years? Or will a couple of LIV Golf stars, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, come out on top?
The field consists of 91 golfers, from potential winners to those aiming to make the cut. Some might have questions about Scheffler’s game heading into the Masters, but he’s already won two green jackets and is still the best golfer in the world. Back problems have put McIlroy’s chances of a repeat in doubt.
Collin Morikawa was playing like one of the best golfers in the world before he hurt his back. Can DeChambeau’s success in the LIV Golf League carry over to the majors? Here are the golfers with the best chances to slip on a green jacket Sunday.
Scheffler’s Form and Chances
Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, has been struggling with his driver recently. He ranks 80th in strokes gained: approach (.080). Scheffler hasn’t had a top-10 finish since tying for fourth in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Feb. 12 — his longest drought in nearly four years (three starts in a row!).
He skipped a start in Texas because his wife, Meredith, was due with their second child. And yet, he’s still the betting favourite and would become only the ninth golfer to win three jackets or more. Scheffler is 101-under par in his major championship career, the best all time, including 111 under since 2020. He’s 45 strokes better than any other player during that span, according to ESPN Research.
McIlroy’s Injury Concerns
McIlroy’s form had been solid this year until a back injury forced him out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in early March. He was touch-and-go to tee it up in the Players, but got through 72 holes and tied for 46th at even par. His three-week layoff is