Rory McIlroy’s triumph shows there’s no drama like Masters drama | Golf Insider
It was only fitting that on the 40th anniversary of Jack Nicklaus’ amazing run to the 1986 Masters, the final round on Sunday delivered.
Rory McIlroy, who is never boring when he is in contention, won his second straight Masters and joined the exclusive club of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as back-to-back winners.
The drama was there all Sunday. McIlroy fell behind as Cameron Young and Justin Rose rose up the leaderboard. The No. 1 player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, made his inevitable run and was one putt on No. 17 from being in a playoff.
McIlroy steadied the ship and got back in the lead on No. 12. But he had to make it interesting on No. 18 after blasting his drive right. He saved bogey and won his second straight as almost 14 million viewers reportedly watched on CBS.
Since 2016, the final round of The Masters has been must-watch TV. In 2016, Jordan Spieth was on his way to back-to-back wins before melting down and the unknown Danny Willett took the title. Sergio Garcia beat Rose in a playoff in 2017 for his only major title.
Patrick Reed fought off Spieth and Rickie Fowler in 2018. Tiger Woods had his likely final major moment on a golf course in 2019 when he won in a scene that was unforgettable.
There was a Masters in November (2020), and the first winner from Japan (Hideki Matsuyama in 2021), the next two years. While Scheffler’s two wins (2022, 2024) were not magical on Sunday, it was a crowning of one of the world’s best players. Same for Jon Rahm in 2023.
Then, of course, McIlroy completed the grand slam last year before winning again this year.
That’s a lot of drama in the last 10 years.
The other majors have had plenty of moments in recent years. The U.S. Open has provided Wyndham Clark’s big win in 2023 and McIlroy’s battle with Bryson DeChambeau in 2024 at Pinehurst.
But there is something about that final day at The Masters. The golf course sets up tough but also has the possibility of someone going low. The tournament is not over until that final putt drops.
That’s why the first major continues to be the best of the four. It never disappoints.
What they’re saying
“It still fits.”
- McIlroy, after donning the green jacket at The Masters for the second straight year.
Denver’s Wyndham Clark posts best Masters finish of career
Colorado native Wyndham Clark had an eventful week in Augusta, Ga., for The Masters.
He started the week by scoring a hole-in-one during Wednesday’s Par-3 Contest.
The momentum continued for Clark as he finished in a tie for 21st at the first major of the year. It was the best Masters finish of his career.
His best day was Friday when he fired a 4-under 68, which included an eagle on the par-4 third hole. Clark hit a 330-yard drive that stuck on the green. His round vaulted him into contention going into the weekend.
“Yeah, I mean, this is my best start thus far at Augusta and I’m just really excited to be in this position,” he said after Friday’s round.
Clark went 72-73 on the weekend to finish in that tie for 21st. It was something to build on as the Valor Christian graduate is set to play in this week’s RBC Heritage.
Northern Colorado men win first team title since 2023
It wasn’t easy, but the Northern Colorado men’s team has its first team title in a long time.
The Bears defeated Bryant University in a playoff last week at the Shark Invitational at Naussau Country Club in Glen Cove, N.Y. It was the first team title for Northern Colorado since it won the Big Sky Tournament in 2023.
Northern Colorado was paced by strong individual performances throughout the lineup in the final round. Matias Koropeski led the way with a 2-under 68, posting a 32 on the front nine before closing with a 36 on the back. Thomas Barnes Grimes also delivered a steady 68. Cooper Tate contributed with a 69.
The Bears turn their focus to the Big Sky Championship. The three-day event is scheduled for April 27–29 in Litchfield, Ariz., at Wigwam Golf Club.
Skins game
Odds to win RBC Heritage
Scottie Scheffler +440
Xander Schauffele +1500
Matt Fitzpatrick +1600
Russell Henley +1800
Cameron Young +1800
Tommy Fleetwood +2000
Wyndham Clark +8000
This week in golf
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RBC Heritage
Site: Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Course: Harbour Town GL. Yardage: 7,243. Par: 71.
Prize money: $20 million. Winner’s share: $3.6 million.
Television: Thursday-Friday, Noon-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Golf), 1-4 p.m. (CBS).
Defending champion: Justin Thomas.
LPGA Tour
JM Eagle L.A. Championship
Site: Los Angeles.
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Prize money: $3.75 million. Winner’s share: $562,500.
Television: Thursday-Sunday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf).
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PGA of America and PGA Tour Champions
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Course: Concession GC. Yardage:6,936. Par: 72.
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Television: Thursday-Friday, 8-11 a.m. (Golf); Saturday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf).
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LIV Golf League
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Korn Ferry Tour
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Television: None.
World Golf Rankings
- Scottie Scheffler 16.29
- Rory McIlroy 10.15
- Cameron Young 5.88
- Justin Rose 5.32
- Tommy Fleetwood 5.22
- Russell Henley 5.11
- Matt Fitzpatrick 5.09
- Collin Morikawa 5.08
- Xander Schauffele 4.94
- J.J. Spaun 4.84
- Chris Gotterup 4.69
- Robert MacIntyre 4.62
- Sepp Straka 4.16
- Hideki Matsuyama 4.09
- Justin Thomas 3.86
- Ben Griffin 3.83
- Ludvig Aberg 3.79
- Jacob Bridgeman 3.64
- Alex Noren 3.52
- Patrick Reed 3.51
- Harris English 3.46
- Viktor Hovland 3.45
- Tyrrell Hatton 3.39
- Akshay Bhatia 3.36
- Bryson DeChambeau 3.09