With a leaderboard packed heading into the second nine, the tournament could have gone any number of ways. McIlroy, who started strong through the first two rounds before cooling slightly on Saturday, found another gear when it mattered most. After sitting two shots back early in the final round, he surged ahead—turning that deficit into a three-shot lead with five holes to play. From there, it was control. McIlroy managed the closing stretch at Augusta National Golf Club with composure, closing things out to slip on the Green Jacket for the second straight year. He ended up winning by one stroke, just like he did last year, and then the question turned to—what was going to be on his wrist?
Tim Jeffreys
2026-04-13 00:18:00