Rory McIlroy Chases Rare Masters Double

McIlroy aims to become fourth golfer to win consecutive titles at Augusta National.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:22am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a golfer's swing and the iconic Augusta National course, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant greens, blues, and golds.The pursuit of a rare Masters double has captivated the golf world, as Rory McIlroy aims to join an elite club of repeat champions at Augusta National.Augusta Today

Rory McIlroy's attempt to become the fourth golfer in history to win consecutive Masters titles remains undecided as the 2026 tournament enters its final round. The defending champion had previously appeared to be in a commanding position, but has since faced setbacks in his bid to join the elite club of back-to-back winners at Augusta National.

Why it matters

Winning consecutive Masters titles is considered one of the most difficult feats in professional golf, with only three golfers - Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods - having achieved the accomplishment since the tournament's inception in 1934. McIlroy's pursuit of this rare double has captivated the golf world and could cement his legacy as one of the game's all-time greats.

The details

After establishing a six-stroke lead through the first two rounds, McIlroy has since struggled to maintain his dominant position heading into the final day of play. The defending champion faces increased media and sponsor obligations that are often cited as contributing factors to the difficulty of repeating as Masters champion.

  • On April 11, 2026, USA TODAY reported that McIlroy had established a six-stroke lead through the first two rounds.
  • The 2026 Masters tournament enters its final round on April 12, 2026.

The players

Rory McIlroy

The defending Masters champion who is attempting to become the fourth golfer in history to win consecutive titles at Augusta National.

Jack Nicklaus

The first golfer to win the Masters in consecutive years, achieving the feat in 1965 and 1966.

Nick Faldo

The second golfer to win the Masters in consecutive years, achieving the feat in 1989 and 1990.

Tiger Woods

The third and most recent golfer to win the Masters in consecutive years, achieving the feat in 2001 and 2002.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The golf world awaits the final round to see if Rory McIlroy can overcome recent setbacks and join Nicklaus, Faldo, and Woods as a repeat champion at the Masters.

The takeaway

Winning consecutive Masters titles is an elite accomplishment, with only three golfers in the tournament's history having achieved the feat. McIlroy's pursuit of this rare double has captivated the golf world and could cement his legacy as one of the game's all-time greats if he is able to overcome recent challenges and claim back-to-back Green Jackets.