Rory McIlroy Back-to-kcaB at the 90th annual Masters at Augusta Nationals

(image from YardBarker.com)

On Sunday, April 12th, 2026, Rory McIlroy joined Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods in a special club, going back-to-back and winning the 2025 and 2026 Masters Tournament. 
by Ty Cameron and Justin Andrio

On Sunday, April 12, 2026, Rory McIlroy joined Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods in a special club, going back-to-back and winning the 2025 and 2026 Masters Tournament.
The 90th Annual Masters started on April 9, with the reigning champion Rory McIlroy looking to make history as the fourth back-to-back champion. Other big names like Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama, and others joined him during their journey to win another Green Jacket.

During the first day of the Masters, Rory made a statement. He started five under par, putting him in the lead after day one.

1- Rory McIlroy: 67 (-5)
T1- Sam Burns: 67 (-5)
T2- Patrick Reed: 69 (-3)
T2- Jason Day: 69 (-3)
T2- Kurt Kitayama: 69 (-3)
T6- Scottie Scheffler: 70 (-2)
T6- Justin Rose: 70 (-2)
T6- Xander Schauffele: 70 (-2)
T6- Shane Lowry: 70 (-2)
T10- Brian Campbell: 71 (-1)

Going into day two, it was looking close, until Rory McIlroy started to pull away with another historic performance, hitting seven under par, extending his lead at the Masters. Climbing the ranks was Tyrell Hatton as he amazed the fans during the second day.

1- Rory McIlroy: 65 (-7)
2- Tyrrell Hatton: 66 (-6)
T3- Cameron Young: 67 (-5)
T3- Patrick Cantlay: 67 (-5)
T5- Wyndham Clark: 68 (-4)
T5- Tommy Fleetwood: 68 (-4)
T5- Kristoffer Reitan:68 (-4)
T8- Justin Rose: 69 (-3)
T8- Collin Morikawa: 69 (-3)
T8- Jake Knapp: 69 (-3)

On day three, McIlroy had a rough one, while Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young had an amazing day, allowing the two to jump into the top 10. Not too far behind was Justin Rose, keeping his game to Par.

T1- Scottie Scheffler: 65 (-7)
T1- Cameron Young: 65 (-7)
T3- Russell Henley: 66 (-6)
T3- Patrick Cantlay: 66 (-6)
5- Brian Harman: 67 (-5)
T6- Collin Morikawa: 68 (-4)
T6- Sam Burns: 68 (-4)
T6- Jason Day: 68 (-4)
T6- Shane Lowry: 68 (-4)
T6- Ryan Gerard: 68 (-4)

Sunday is the most important day in Augusta during April. Where dreams come true and where names are marked into the history books. It looked to be all Justin Rose from the start,  pulling away with the lead heading into Amen Corner but right behind him sat McIlroy and Scheffler. In the end, Rory came out on top on Hole 18, sealing the deal on his second Green Jacket.

1- Rory McIlroy -12
2- Scottie Scheffler -11
T3- Tyrrell Hatton -10
T3- Russell Henley -10
T3- Justin Rose -10
T3- Cameron Young -10
T7-Collin Morikawa -9
T7- Sam Burns -9
T9- Max Homa -8
T9- Xander Schauffele -8

Two Walnut Grove High School students, Christopher Smith and Boston Yoder, were both hoping for Bryson DeChambeau to win this year’s Masters. However, Mrs. Baker wanted Cameron Young to win. She says, “He went to my alma mater [Wake Forest], so I kinda had a little reason to pull for him”. She felt that the biggest disappointment of the Masters this year was Justin Rose.

The “tradition like no other” has concluded, but golf season is still far from over. Tune in to the PGA Tour, which lasts until late August, and be sure to follow along with the LIV Golf controversy, as they face funding issues. Will fans see golf legends return to the PGA Tour?