New Delhi, 13 April (H.S.):

Rory McIlroy clinched the 2026 Masters title through gritty resilience, becoming the first since Tiger Woods to defend the Green Jacket consecutively—his sixth major triumph.

World No. 2 McIlroy weathered an early stumble with a double bogey on the fourth and bogey on the sixth, then surged with four birdies over seven holes. A composed one-under 71 in the finale yielded a 12-under total of 276, edging out world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (277) by a stroke after Scheffler's stellar 68.

Unlike last year's playoff, McIlroy led wire-to-wire. Chairman Fred Ridley draped the Green Jacket as McIlroy reflected: Seventeen years for one, now two in a row—profoundly special. His 18th-hole drive veered into trees, but a bunker recovery and two-putt bogey sealed victory.

Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Rose, Russell Henley, and Cameron Young tied third at 278. McIlroy's embrace with wife and daughter marked a career pinnacle.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar