Rory McIlroy. Alamy Stock Photo

Rory McIlroy retains The Masters title at Augusta

McIlroy retains his crown at Augusta.

LAST UPDATE | 2 hrs ago

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Evening all! So Masters Sunday is upon us for 2026 and what a final round in store.

The drama of 12 months ago as Rory McIlroy made that long-awaited breakthrough set a high bar…and yet this year’s instalment is brilliantly set up for a thrilling night of Major action.

We’ve plenty of interest here with McIlroy joint leader and Shane Lowry two shots behind in fourth. But there’s a whole of star power elsewhere on the leaderboard:

Leaderboard

  • -11 Cameron Young, Rory McIlroy.
  • -10 Sam Burns
  • -9 Shane Lowry
  • -8 Jason Day, Justin Rose.
  • -7 Scottie Scheffler, Haotong Li.

shane-lowry-of-ireland-walks-on-the-green-on-the-17th-hole-during-the-third-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-saturday-april-11-2026-in-augusta-ga-ap-phot Shane Lowry. Alamy Live News. Alamy Live News.

rory-mcilroy-of-northern-ireland-waves-after-his-putt-on-the-15th-hole-during-the-third-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-saturday-april-11-2026-in-augusta Rory McIlroy. Alamy Live News. Alamy Live News.

The main tee times you need to know this evening, we’ve a bit to go yet before the action really cranks up.

  • 7.25pm: Cameron Young, Rory McIlroy.
  • 7.14pm: Sam Burns, Shane Lowry.
  • 7.03pm: Jason Day, Justin Rose.
  • 6.52pm: Scottie Scheffler, Haotong Li.

Of those already out on the course making an early move:

-7: Jake Knapp has birdied two of his first three holes.

-6: Ludvig Aberg (-3 today after 6 holes) and Xander Schauffele (-2 today after 6 holes) both making a push and are now in a tie for 10th.

-4: Viktor Hovland is now five-under for his round today, but that’s after a double bogey on the long 15th, he was seven-under for his final round after 13.

Round of the day so far is Keegan Bradley, last year’s Ryder Cup captain signing for a 66, that featured eight birdies and two bogeys. He’s on three-under overall.

Here comes Scottie… after yesterday’s 65, a birdie on the opening hole today for the world number one. Scheffler now only three off the lead.

Tyrrell Hatton holes out on the 7th from the fairway for an eagle to get to -6, Jordan Spieth eagles the par-five 13th and is on -4, while more significantly an opening hole birdie for Justin Rose, he chips in and is now on -9. It’s all starting to get going!

Shane Lowry tees off on the first hole and it’s a solid start, comfortably on the fairway.

A reminder of the scoring as our final group Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young are about to tee off:

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Leaderboard

  • -11 Cameron Young, Rory McIlroy.
  • -10 Sam Burns.
  • -9 Shane Lowry, Justin Rose.
  • -8 Jason Day, Scottie Scheffler.
  • -7 Patrick Cantlay, Russell Henley.

Rory is up and running, after difficulties all week off the tee, that’s a solid drive on the first.

Sam Burns drains his slightly downhill put on the first for birdie, he’s joins Young and McIlroy on -11. Haotong Li with a birdie on two to see him get to -7.

But it’s early disappointment for Shane Lowry, a bogey on the first as he can’t get up and down from off the green to save par. He’s back to -8.

So everyone has begun their final round at Augusta. The clubhouse leader is Viktor Hovland after his round of 67, spoiled by a bogey on the last, gets him to -4 overall.

A final day Tyrrell Hatton charge in the offing? He follows up eagle on 7 with birdie on 8 and is now on -7 overall.

McIlroy just short of the bunker on the first after his drive, he’s 155 yards to the hole and fires it onto the green. Early birdie opportunity for our co-leader! Cameron Young is in the sand at the first and from 151 yards, he’s also on the green in two.

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Leaderboard

  • -11 Cameron Young, Rory McIlroy, Sam Burns.
  • -9  Justin Rose.
  • -8 Jason Day, Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry, Russell Henley.
  • -7 Tyrrell Hatton, Patrick Cantlay, Haotong Li.

scottie-scheffler-walks-to-green-on-the-second-hole-during-the-final-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-sunday-april-12-2026-in-augusta-ga-ap-photoeric-gay Scottie Scheffler walks to the green on the second hole. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Birdie putts for our final group on the opening hole.

Cameron Young goes first and it finishes up short after his roll. Then Rory lines up his and he can’t find the hole either, not enough on his putt. Both tidy up for par.

But up ahead Scheffler is making his move! A birdie three on the third, to accompany his early birdie and now the world number one is only two off the lead. Remember yesterday morning he was twelve shots back!

shane-lowry-of-ireland-watches-his-shot-on-the-first-hole-during-the-final-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-sunday-april-12-2026-in-augusta-ga-ap-photom Shane Lowry. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Gary Woodland is another with six-under 66 today, along with Keegan Bradley. A 67 for Maverick McNealy sees him in the clubhouse on four-under with Viktor Hovland. Hideki Matsuyama is up to six-under after 14, he’s -4 for his round today.

McIlroy finds the sand with his drive on the long second, while up ahead on that hole Sam Burns, playing his fourth shot, is gone over to the back of the green.

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Leaderboard

  • -11 Cameron Young, Rory McIlroy, Sam Burns.
  • -9  Justin Rose, Scottie Scheffler
  • -8 Jason Day, Shane Lowry, Russell Henley, Haotong Li.
  • -7 Tyrrell Hatton, Patrick Cantlay.

Lowry chips on two onto the green to give himself a look at a birdie four and a chance to bounce back impressively from the first setback.

Birdie for Shane Lowry! That puts him back to nine-under after two, while his playing partner Sam Burns is going in the opposite direction, he can’t make his bogey putt and that’s a seven that sends hium back to nine-under as well.

McIlroy with his third shot on the second from the fairway and that’s an excellent wedge, sets him up for a birdie chance.

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Leaderboard

  • -11 Cameron Young, Rory McIlroy.
  • -9 Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, Shane Lowry.
  • -8 Jason Day, Russell Henley, Haotong Li,  Justin Rose.
  • -7 Tyrrell Hatton, Patrick Cantlay.

Lowry’s approach on three just about stays on the back of the green, that sets him up nicely. In contrast Sam Burns having a nightmare run as his bunker shot on three comes straight back into the sand.

Cameron Young judges his left-to-right putt on the second perfectly, a birdie takes him to -12 and he’s leader on his own as McIlroy can’t make his birdie putt! It stays high marginally and he’s to settle for a par.

Lowry’s birdie attempt on the third rolls past and that’s a testing par saver that he faces…but he makes it! It’s a bogey for Burns though and he’s now four off the lead – 3, 7, 5 on his opening three holes.

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Leaderboard

  • -12 Cameron Young
  • -11 Rory McIlroy
  • -9 Scottie Scheffler, Shane Lowry.
  • -8 Russell Henley, Haotong Li, Jason Day, Justin Rose, Sam Burns.

Huge break for Cameron Young on the third as his drive is flying right but he gets a break as it ends up on the fairway via a tree trunk. McIlroy stripes it down the middle towards the green but it drops left to the bunker.

Lowry on the par-three 4th and he finds the green comfortably. Steady recovery since that early bogey.

Young is first up on the third with his pitch and he’s in a similar spot to where Lowry was at the back of the green. McIlroy escapes from the sand and leaves himself with an uphill putt for birdie.

Young’s putt on three is the trickier one and it slides to the right, a pacy downhill effort. But no problems for Rory McIlroy! A first birdie of the day and he’s at -12 alongside Young.

Disappointing for Lowry on four. He lines up a lengthy birdie attempt that comes up short, it’s an awkward par save and he can’t make it as the ball turns at the left. A second bogey in four holes and now Lowry is four shots back.

A couple players making a move – Russell Henley with his third birdie of the day on the seventh to get him to -9, while Justin Rose birdies five to get to -9 as well.

Is Scheffler about to drop his first shot of the day? No, a brilliant par save on six and he stays in a tie for third.

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Leaderboard

  • -12 Cameron Young, Rory McIlroy.
  • -9 Scottie Scheffler, Russell Henley, Justin Rose.
  • -8 Sam Burns, Shane Lowry.

Little bit of a gap now between the front two of Young and McIlroy, our last group of the day after on the fourth, they both enjoy a three-shot cushion ahead of the trio of Henley, Scheffler, and Rose.

cameron-young-hits-from-the-fairway-on-the-first-hole-during-the-final-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-sunday-april-12-2026-in-augusta-ga-ap-photomatt-sl Cameron Young. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The birdie on four that got McIlroy to -12.

McIlroy on four chips from off the green and almost sees it drop but it rolls past the pin. Lowry has less luck on five, his bunker shot hits the lip, his second of the hole, and he’s in a spot of bother.

Jordan Spieth is the clubhouse leader now, a round of 68 today gets him to five-under.

Double bogey for Mcllroy on four! What a turning point that could prove to be! He’s in a position for par from ten feet but can’t make it or the one back, a costly three putt and now he’s dropped to -10.

Suddenly Cameron Young is our leader by two shots.

Justin Rose putting across the green for birdie on six, the ball just slips to the right. Fine attempt, he settles for par.

The theme of disastrous double bogeys continues… Shane Lowry on the fifth, was in trouble after that bunker shot hit the lip and he can’t scramble for a bogey. It’s a six and now he’s three-over for his round today, travelling in the wrong direction and gone to six-under.

What does all that mean for our leaderboard?

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Leaderboard

  • -12 Cameron Young
  • -10 Rory McIlroy
  • -9 Scottie Scheffler, Russell Henley, Justin Rose.
  • -8 Sam Burns
  • -7 Jason Day

McIlroy from 209 yards on fairway at five with a six-iron, excellent shot and he’s on the green. Young is gone over the back of the same green and the momentum could switch again here.

Scheffler saves par on seven and Henley almost chips in for eagle on eight! A birdie there would get him to -10.

Scheffler smashes his drive on the par-five 8th and it goes screaming to the left, a troubling start for him at that hole. Henley is now two off the lead, he’s the one who has really made the charge today, four-under for his round after eight holes.

rory-mcilroy-of-northern-ireland-walks-to-green-on-the-fourth-hole-during-the-final-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-sunday-april-12-2026-in-augusta-ga-a Rory McIlroy. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

McIlroy has a look at birdie but can’t quite make it, settling for par. Cameron Young makes a huge save to stay at -12 on the same green. 

But it’s Justin Rose who has just produced a highlight moment, a stunning second shot from the pines right of the seventh fairway, that sets up a tap in for birdie. He’s now on -10.

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Leaderboard

  • -12 Cameron Young.
  • -10 Rory McIlroy, Russell Henley, Justin Rose.
  • -9 Scottie Scheffler.
  • -8 Sam Burns.

Lowry grabs a par back at six, the site yesterday of that magical hole in one. He’s on six-under, in a tie for ninth now. Not looking great for a famous victory after that rocky start.

McIlroy from 189 yards on the tee at six, it flies too far and he’s a tough up and down on the cards there from the back. Scheffler at the long eighth is also gone to the back. Wind picking up around Augusta.

Scheffler close to a miraculous birdie four after that wild drive on eight, the ball catches the hole on the left and spins off. He’ll take that par to stay at -9 and he’s yet to drop a shot today.

McIlroy putts from off the green on six, it doesn’t catch through the grass as he’s conscious of it not going miles past the pin. Sizes up the difficult par putt… and he can’t make it. That’s another setback and he’s now three-over for his last three holes since that birdie on three.

But the blow if softened by Cameron Young also making bogey and he’s on -11 now.

*****

Leaderboard

  • -11 Cameron Young.
  • -10 Russell Henley, Justin Rose.
  • -9 Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy.
  • -8 Sam Burns
  • -7 Max Homa, Tyrrell Hatton.

It’s getting congested again on that leaderboard. Some progress being made from down the leaderboard. Max Homa after eagle on 13 and birdie on 16 is now at -7, the same figure that Tyrrell Hatton is on after his birdie on 13.

Par again for Shane Lowry on the par-four seventh. That’ll settle him after the damage on the fourth and fifth. The Offaly native is five back.

McIlroy confidently drives it on the 450-yard seventh, he’s in the middle of the fairway and well positioned to attack the green. For all his struggles, he remains only two back and right in this.

McIlroy has a shot at birdie on seven after his approach shot, whereas leader Young finds the sand at the front of the green. 

Justin Rose with a big chance on eight for birdie while Hatton follows up birdie on 13 with another on 14. Now he’s only three back and in line to set the clubhouse target!

Justin Rose is the joint-leader! He rolls in his birdie putt on the eighth and after last year’s heartbreak, could he find redemption this time at Augusta? 

Cameron Young started brilliantly today but he’s hit some turbulence now. That approach shot left him in a hard spot and he can’t get up and down, despite the par putt going close. A second successive bogey for the 2026 Players Championship winner.

Rory had a look at Young’s putt and it paid off! A birdie three gets him back in the hunt!  He’s now only one shot off the lead – now held by Justin Rose!

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Leaderboard

  • -11 Justin Rose.
  • -10 Russell Henley, Cameron Young, Rory McIlroy.
  • -9 Scottie Scheffler
  • -8 Tyrrell Hatton, Sam Burns.

Notable birdies for two English golfers! Tyrrell Hatton storming into contention with his third successive birdie, picking up his latest shot on the par-five 15th to get to nine-under.

But the bigger move is by Justin Rose, a quite superb putt back up the hill on the ninth. He’s on 12-under and is the two shot leader of the Masters! Can the three-time runner-up do it this time?

Max Homa sets the clubhouse target after his birdie three on the 18th. An excellent 67 leaves him on eight-under.

A mention of Shane Lowry, par again on the 8th as he remains on six-under.

Tyrrell Hatton’s red-hot run continues as another birdie drops on 16 to get him to 1o-under.

Eagle attempt by McIlroy on the 8th from 25 feet, it fades near the end to the left but that shoulde be a straightforward birdie.

McIlroy tidies up for birdie, Young drains his birdie putt on the same hole, and both are back applying the pressure on our leader!

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Leaderboard

  • -12 Justin Rose (9).
  • -11 Cameron Young (8), Rory McIlroy (8).
  • -10 Tyrrell Hatton (16), Russell Henley (11).
  • -9 Scottie Scheffler (10).

justin-rose-of-england-waves-after-his-putt-on-the-eighth-hole-during-the-final-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-sunday-april-12-2026-in-augusta-ga-ap-ph Justin Rose Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

rory-mcilroy-of-northern-ireland-watches-his-tee-shot-on-the-sixth-hole-during-the-final-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-sunday-april-12-2026-in-augusta-g Rory McIlroy. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Shane Lowry reaches the turn on three-over for his round today and six-under overall. Four straight pars to finish his front nine, but it’s the fourth and fifth holes that have really hurt his hopes of a remarkable Masters Sunday.

Russell Henley slips back with bogey on the par-three 12th, he’s now at nine-under, first mistake of the day.

Remember that double bogey on four? It seems a while ago now for Rory McIlroy. He’s on a birdie streak after picking up shots on seven and eight, and a sublime approach shot on nine sets up another great chance.

Cameron Young in contrast in all sorts of bother on that hole, needs to scramble for par.

Rory can’t make that birdie, must contend with a par, but Young drops a shot to leave Rory in second on his own.

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Leaderboard

  • -12 Justin Rose (10)
  • -11 Rory McIlroy (9)
  • -10 Tyrrell Hatton (17), Cameron Young (10)
  • -9 Scottie Scheffler (12), Russell Henley (12)

Scheffler made a lightning start with two birdies in his first three holes, but has had nine straight pars since then. He’s three back with six to play.

Justin Rose can’t save par on 11 and we’ve got joint leaders now on -11… the two players that contested last year’s dramatic play-off, Rose and McIlroy.

A bounce back birdie for Russell Henley on 13, gets him to within one of the lead again.

Hatton on 18 can’t find the green, he’s off to the right and will chip in.

Cameron Young’s birdie putt from back of the green slides right and he must tap in for par. Same outcome for McIlroy, he had been on the fringe of the green with his third.

Rory heads to the 11th, sharing the lead with Justin Rose.

A run down the leaderboard…

  • Xander Schauffele is four-under today and eight-under overall.
  • Jake Knapp and Collin Morikawa both on seven-under, making progress today.
  • A tough day for the pairing of Sam Burns and Shane Lowry, they’re both three-over for their rounds on Sunday.

shane-lowry-of-ireland-reacts-to-his-tee-shot-on-the-sixth-hole-during-the-final-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-sunday-april-12-2026-in-augusta-ga-ap-p Shane Lowry. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Tyrrell Hatton is the clubhouse leader on -10

Hatton pars the last and that caps a stunning final round of 66. He’s set the mark for the others on the course. 

Our leaders are at -11 and we have eight players within three shots.

Where’s that Green Jacket going?!

Big swing! Justin Rose with bogey on 12, his second successive dropped shot. Rory McIlroy leads by one at the moment on the back nine of final day at the Masters!

More bad news for Shane Lowry, a double bogey six on the testing 11th, and that sends him dropping down to four-under overall.

McIlroy’s lengthy birdie putt on 11 doesn’t have the pace and there’s a nervy par putt coming up on his first hole at Amen Corner. Young with a 40-footer on 11 and it doesn’t travel either, a par putt on the way there also.

Up ahead, Scheffler sets up a decent birdie attempt on the long 13th.

Big moment for McIlroy with this putt on 11 and he deosn’t allow it to derail his challenge, nails the par putt! Heading to the par-three 12th with a one-shot lead over a bunch of four – Rose, Young, Hatton, and Henley.

Collin Morikawa won the PGA Championship in 2020 and The Open Championship in 2021, can he win a third Major?

He’s making a serious push up the leaderboard. A fifth birdie on the bounce on the par-three 16th, and that takes him to nine-under.

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Leaderboard

  • -11 Rory McIlroy (11)
  • -10 Tyrrell Hatton (F), Cameron Young (11), Russell Henley (14), Justin Rose (12)
  • -9 Scottie Scheffler (12), Collin Morikawa (16)
  • -8 Max Homa (F), Xander Schauffele (F)

What a shot by Rory McIlroy! Stunning stuff on the 12th with his tee shot… and meanwhile the world number one can’t find a birdie, Scheffler again has to settle for a par when his attempt on 13 fails to drop.

Cameron Young follows McIlroy by landing it on the 12th green, he’s further away but has a look at birdie. They’ll both size up their putts, this final pairing.

Justin Rose on 13 after a fine tee shot, it looks for a moment that his approach is heading to the creek, but it drops on the green, bounces towards the back and he’ll study an eagle putt. A strong recovery after his woes on 11 and 12.

Young goes first from 14 feet and the putt is low on the right, he knocks in for par. Next up it’s McIlroy form around seven feet and he sinks it!

Rory McIlroy walks off the 12th green with a two-shot lead in the final round of the Masters!

McIlroy has found form at the most opportune time, he’s three-under for his last six holes.

Sadly Shane Lowry’s day has unravelled, another bogey on 12 and he’s six-over for his round today.

Could this be a key moment on 13? Rose lines up his eagle putt and it’s always going left, moving at a decent pace and that leaves him with a birdie attempt that is not straigthtforward. It proves costly! The ball drifts left with the one back,  a three-putt for a par, and that’s feel deflating after that terrific drive.

Confidence is high with Rory McIlroy, a perfect drive leaves him in a good spot on 13.

His two-shot cushion remains as Russell Henley can’t nail his birdie putt on 16 and he’s running out of holes.

Justin Rose’s problems continue, he’s gone wild and left on 14. Scheffler’s drive flies right off the tee on 15, he had scrambled brilliantly to par 14.

Xander Schauffele in the clubhouse on -8 after a round of 68 today.

Back to our final pairing on 13…

Cameron Young has 214 yards, just next to the pines and he sends a shot that flies to the back of the green, almost in a bunker back left, but stays on the edge.

McIlroy after his 350-yard screaming drive, he lets fly from the fairway from around 180 yards, and ends up long in the same spot as Young.

Henley on 17 with his approach, he needs something as he tries to attack McIlroy’s advantage and gets the birdie opportunity he craves.

Rose rescues up and down on 14 under huge pressure to leave himself a gimme par putt.

*****

Leaderboard

  • -12 Rory McIlroy (12)
  • -10 Tyrrell Hatton (F), Cameron Young (12), Russell Henley (16), Justin Rose (14)
  • -9 Scottie Scheffler (14), Collin Morikawa (17)
  • -8 Max Homa (F), Xander Schauffele (F), Sam Burns (13)

McIlroy takes the putter from the back of 13 and gives himself a shot at birdie as he sees the ball go right of the hole from that tricky position. Young opts to chip and he has a nervy moment as the ball travels at speed but stops from toppling down towards Rae’s Creek.

Henley has to settle for par again on 17, he’s four-under today but hasn’t jumped up further with a string of chances on the back nine. One left to play for the American.

Young goes first with the birdie effort but it slides to the left and he’s not going to pick up a shot. But Scottie Scheffler does! A quite incredible four on the 15th after being wildly right off the tee, a stunning third shot set up that brilliant putt. He’s at 10-under.

But Rory McIlroy just steps up and responds in kind! A superb putt under pressure, he’s really turned it on over the last stretch. McIlroy leaves Amen Corner with a three-shot lead in the Masters after back-to-back birdies.

Here’s the state of play, Rory McIlroy leads by three shots over a bunch of five players.

McIlroy has five holes left to play…

*****

Leaderboard

  • -13 Rory McIlroy (13)
  • -10 Tyrrell Hatton (F), Cameron Young (13), Russell Henley (17), Justin Rose (14), Scottie Scheffler (15)
  • -9 Sam Burns (14), Collin Morikawa (F)

McIlroy from 133 yards with his second on 14 and he’s on the green, while Scheffler sinks his birdie attempt on 16! That takes him to 11-under as he tries to put the pressure on McIlroy. Couple big holes on the way for the world number one.

McIlroy’s uphill putt at 14 has the read but not the distance, he rounds off with a par to remain at 13-under as he heads to the 15th, the site of his remarkable second shot last year.

Justin Rose hanging in there! A fine birdie four on that par-five 15th. Himself and Scheffler trying to set a new clubhouse target.

Cameron Young can’t join Scheffler and Rose at that -11 level, his birdie attempt doesn’t fall right.

*****

Leaderboard

  • -13 Rory McIlroy (14)
  • -11 Scottie Scheffler (16), Justin Rose (15)
  • -10 Tyrrell Hatton (F), Russell Henley (17), Cameron Young (14)

rory-mcilroy-of-northern-ireland-waves-after-his-putt-on-the-13th-hole-during-the-final-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-sunday-april-12-2026-in-augusta-ga Rory McIlroy Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

 

scottie-scheffler-watches-his-putt-on-the-10th-hole-during-the-final-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-sunday-april-12-2026-in-augusta-ga-ap-photoeric-gay Scottie Scheffler Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

 

justin-rose-of-england-reacts-after-missing-a-putt-on-the-13th-hole-during-the-final-round-of-the-masters-golf-tournament-at-the-augusta-national-golf-club-sunday-april-12-2026-in-augusta-ga Justin Rose Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

McIlroy’s drive on 15 leaves him in the pines. Scheffler has a look on birdie at 17 as his charge continues coming down the stretch. Russell Henley in the clubhouse on 10-under alongside Tyrrell Hatton.

A Shane Lowry update – his last five holes have seen double bogey on 11, bogey on 12, birdie on 13, bogey on 14, and birdie on 15.

He’s four-under overall in a tie for 18th currently and five-over today.

An agonising miss for Scheffler! He putts down on the 17th and the ball trickles towards the hole, looks set to drop but stops just on the left. A par, he remains at -11 with the 18th left to play. Four birdies and 13 pars today for Scheffler.

Cameron Young’s second on 15 hits the green before rolling through and down the back. McIlroy is 211 yards away but pitches simply out given his position.

Tension-filled finale in store – McIlroy, Scheffler, or Rose? Or someone outside the top three as Hatton and Henley watch on from the clubhouse?

Scheffler finds the fairway with his drive on 18, Rose sees his ball career away right off the tee at 17.

McIlroy’s third on 15 for a brief moment looks like it may drop shot into the perilous water but it bounces and he’s safely on the green. Difficult to get a birdie and open up a three-shot gap but a par will do fine to preserve his advantage.

A strong attempt to land the 40-footer from McIlroy but he still sinks the putt and comes away from 15 with no damage incurred. He’ll take that after a couple of anxious moments with the drive and when his third shot floated in the air.

Sam Burns with an amazing birdie on 16, across the green and he’s at 10-under!

Scheffler on the fairway at 18, he needs to get to 12-under but the ball hits the front of the green and then comes falling back away.

Cameron Young just can’t get it going over the last while, a birdie putt on 15 doesn’t drop and he’s three back with three to play. That could be it for his hopes.

So here’s where we stand:

*****

Leaderboard

  • -13 Rory McIlroy (15)
  • -11 Scottie Scheffler (17), Justin Rose (16)
  • -10 Tyrrell Hatton (F), Russell Henley (F), Sam Burns (16), Cameron Young (15)

Tee shot on 16 from McIlroy goes long and a bit too long. It bounces off the back, he’s an up and down to save par, maintain that advantage.

Scheffler can’t chip in on 18 for a late birdie and has to settle for a new clubhouse target of -11.

*****

Leaderboard

  • -13 Rory McIlroy (15)
  • -11 Scottie Scheffler (F), Justin Rose (16)
  • -10 Tyrrell Hatton (F), Russell Henley (F), Sam Burns (16), Cameron Young (15)

If McIlroy is feeling the pressure, he’s not showing it! A sensational putt from off the green is judged excellently and he taps in for par on 16. At the same time Justin Rose has bogeyed 17, pulling his putt.

Another birdie attempt by Cameron Young just refuses to drop and that’s his seventh straight par on the back nine.

Leaderboard

  • -13 Rory McIlroy (16)
  • -11 Scottie Scheffler (F)
  • -10 Tyrrell Hatton (F), Russell Henley (F), Justin Rose (17), Sam Burns (16), Cameron Young (16)

McIlroy nails his drive on 17, he looks calm and composed. Two shots clear at the Masters.

Cameron Young is on the green at 17 but Rory McIlroy isn’t…he’s missed on the right and faces an uphill pitch to be up and down, protecting his two-shot advantage going down the last.

Brilliant from McIlroy! Nerveless chip and that should be a straightforward par.

Justin Rose finishes off on 18 with a par. A two-under 70, he’ll regret that back nine of two-over after holding a two-shot lead at one stage today.

Cameron Young’s latest birdie on 17 and it’s a familiar outcome, to kick-in distance for his par. Rory McIlroy tidies up and is heading to the last with a two-shot lead!

Leaderboard

  • -13 Rory McIlroy (17)
  • -11 Scottie Scheffler (F)
  • -10 Tyrrell Hatton (F), Russell Henley (F), Justin Rose (F), Cameron Young (17)
  • -9 Collin Morikawa (F), Sam Burns (17)

McIlroy’s drive on 18…flies off to the right! Let’s see where that ended up.

A Masters Sunday to forget for Shane Lowry…he signs off a round of 80, eight-over today and that sends him back to one-under overall and a in a tie for 30th.

McIlroy is assessing his options, walking around the trees and trying to figure out his route. It’s never not interesting! Two shots clear of Scheffler on the 18th in the final round of the Masters.

McIlroy from the pines, smashes it towards the green and looks uncertain where it’s ended up…and it’s the left-hand bunker near the green where he’s at.

McIlroy with his third shot from the bunker and he’s safely on the green, 15 feet from the hole. Two putts from there to win the Masters.

McIlroy with his putt…to retain the Masters and it rolls inches past from where he’ll tap in…he marks the ball.

Cameron Young to finish out first and he holes his par putt, leaving him at -10.

He’s done it again! Rory McIlroy wins brilliant second Masters with one-shot win  

Rory McIlroy is in some company now!

Back-to-back Masters champions

  • Jack Nicklaus: 1965 and 1966.
  • Nick Faldo: 1989 and 1990.
  • Tiger Woods: 2001 and 2002.
  • Rory McIlroy: 2025 and 2026
That’s Major number six now for Rory McIlroy:
  • 2011 – US Open
  • 2012 – PGA Championship
  • 2014 – The Open Championship, PGA Championship
  • 2025 – The Masters
  • 2026 – The Masters

McIlroy joins Lee Trevino, Nick Faldo and Phil Mickelson on six in the overall Major win tallies.

It was a different success to last year’s route to ridiculous drama. But how satisfying must that be to retain the title?

The Masters Final Round Leaderboard

  • -12 Rory McIlroy 
  • -11 Scottie Scheffler 
  • -10 Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, Justin Rose, Cameron Young.
  • -9 Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns.
  • -8 Max Homa, Xander Schauffele
  • -7 Jake Knapp

That’s all from us this evening, thanks for joining our coverage on a night when Rory McIlroy was crowned Masters Champion once more!

Gavin Cooney, our man at Augusta will have all the colour and reaction so keep an eye on The42.

Bye!

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