A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
At the first of golf's major tournaments in 2026, the Masters, this year's champion is the same as last year's champ. From the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, here's Steve Futterman.
STEVE FUTTERMAN, BYLINE: It took Rory McIlroy 17 agonizing years to finally win his first Masters. One year later, he did it again.
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UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Rory is a rare repeat winner at Augusta.
FUTTERMAN: That's how it sounded on CBS as McIlroy sank a short put to join only three other golfers to win the Masters back-to-back.
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FUTTERMAN: The final round was full of drama. McIlroy began tied for the lead, but he fell behind. At one point, American Cameron Young was atop the leaderboard. Then England's Justin Rose was in front. McIlroy regained control with two straight birdies on the 12th and 13th holes. There was one more challenge left. On the final hole, McIlroy, with a two-stroke lead, hit his tee shot into the trees. He escaped with a bogie and a one-stroke win. Normally, the previous year's winner places the traditional green jacket on the new champion. Since McIlroy also won last year, Augusta Chairman Fred Ridley did the honors.
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RORY MCILROY: You know, I've waited so long to win the Masters, and all of a sudden, I win two in a row.
FUTTERMAN: McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, is in rare company. Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo have won it back-to-back. McIlroy says there's a lesson in his long Masters journey.
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MCILROY: Good things come to those who wait, maybe. Just keep going. Keep your head down and keep going.
FUTTERMAN: For those attending the Masters, many appreciated the historic nature of the win. Peter O'Brien (ph) came here from Ireland.
PETER O'BRIEN: Unbelievable achievement. I mean, I think to win it the first time is incredible. But to back it up second and only the fourth person in history ever to win two in a row - he just ground it out, and he is an unbelievable golfer.
FUTTERMAN: McIlroy was already considered one of the best ever. Last year, he became just the sixth golfer to win the career Grand Slam, taking the Masters, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the British Open. Now he adds another achievement to his eventual Hall of Fame career. And at age 36, he's probably not done yet.
For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Augusta, Georgia. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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