Rory McIlroy Chases Second Masters Win, Career Grand Slam

Northern Irish golfer looks to become first back-to-back Masters champion in over 20 years

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:22pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the final round action of the 2026 Masters Tournament, with overlapping planes of color representing the golf course and players in motion.The final round showdown at the 2026 Masters promises an exciting conclusion as Rory McIlroy chases his second green jacket and the career Grand Slam.Bethesda Today

Rory McIlroy, a five-time major champion, is in contention to win his second green jacket at the 2026 Masters Tournament. McIlroy is tied for the lead heading into the final round on Sunday, April 12, and a victory would make him the first golfer to win consecutive Masters titles since Tiger Woods over 20 years ago. McIlroy is also seeking to complete the career Grand Slam, having won the other three major championships - the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and The Open Championship.

Why it matters

McIlroy's pursuit of a second Masters title and the career Grand Slam has been a long-standing goal for the Northern Irish golfer. Winning the Masters would cement his legacy as one of the top players of his generation, joining an elite group of golfers to have won all four major championships.

The details

McIlroy set the largest 36-hole lead in Masters history after the second round, but a 1-over round on Saturday has him tied for the lead with Cameron Young heading into the final round. McIlroy will need to play a clean, bogey-free round on Sunday to hold off Young and capture his second green jacket.

  • McIlroy won the 2025 Masters Tournament.
  • McIlroy is set to tee off at 2:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Rory McIlroy

A five-time major champion from Northern Ireland who is seeking his second Masters title and to complete the career Grand Slam.

Cameron Young

The 24-year-old American golfer who shot a 7-under 65 on Saturday to tie McIlroy for the lead heading into the final round.

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What they’re saying

“It feels incredible. This is my 17th time here and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time. The last 10 years coming here with the burden of the Grand Slam on my shoulders and trying to achieve that. I'm sort of wondering what we are going to talk about going into next year's Masters. I'm honored and thrilled and so proud to call myself a Masters champion.”

— Rory McIlroy

What’s next

McIlroy will tee off at 2:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 12, 2026, in the final round of the Masters Tournament, where he will look to become the first back-to-back champion since Tiger Woods.

The takeaway

Rory McIlroy's pursuit of a second Masters title and the career Grand Slam has been a long-standing goal, and a victory on Sunday would cement his legacy as one of the top golfers of his generation. The final round showdown between McIlroy and the young upstart Cameron Young promises an exciting conclusion to the 2026 Masters.