Entering the final round of the Masters on Sunday, all eyes were on Rory McIlroy after he lost a historic six-shot lead on Saturday.
McIlroy held a six-stroke lead after the second round, but Cameron Young’s score of 65 helped him close the gap completely and tie with McIlroy for the lead at -11.
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On Sunday, Young’s hot streak continued as he took a small lead early in a round that had as many as six players within two strokes of the lead.
Justin Rose had a strong all-round performance on Sunday as he placed himself at the top early alongside Young and McIlroy. Scottie Scheffler had an impressive day as well, stringing together multiple streaks of birdies to rise to the top as well.
Rose was ahead by two going into the back nine, but faltered on a few drives and lost the lead quickly. He bogeyed the 17th and got a par on the 18th to finish at -10.
While the rest of the pack performed well on the front nine, McIlroy put on a show on the back nine.
After three straight pars on holes 9-11, he birdied the three-par 12th hole before he did it again on the five-par 13th hole. On the 16th, he made a phenomenal two-put par to remain ahead.
Scheffler got hot midway through the final round, but a few very close missed puts kept him behind as he finished -11.
McIlroy secured a par four on the 17th hole to maintain his lead.
He lead Young by three as the two made their way to the final hole.
McIlroy’s final drive strayed wide right as Young’s went slightly left. With everything on the line, the reigning champ recovered well on the next stroke and bogeyed to seal the one-stroke victory.
McIlroy’s historic win now makes him just the fourth golfer ever to win the Masters in back-to-back years. He joins Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the only four to do so.
James Parker contributed to this story.
