Rory McIlroy said he saw similarities between his two Masters triumphs after successfully defending his title on Sunday evening.
An early double bogey in his final round on Sunday set the Northern Irishman up for a nervous finish, recalling memories of last year’s dramatic final round, which was settled in a play-off with Justin Rose.
But McIlroy saw this year’s victory out without requiring sudden death, with a bogey on the 18th enough to get the title over the line. In doing so, he became just the fourth man to win the competition in consecutive years.
Speaking from the green jacket ceremony at Butler Cabin, he said he was thrilled to have retained his title.
“I just can’t believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, then I get two in a row,” he chuckled.
“I think all my perseverance at this tournament over the years has started to pay off.
“It was a tough weekend, I did the bulk of my work on Thursday and Friday, but just so happy to hang in there and get the job done.”
He continued, drawing parallels between this year and last: “It felt pretty similar to last year. I made a double early on the first hole last year and I made a double on four this year.
“Then I played flawless golf after that, I made four birdies and no bogeys going to the last tee knowing that I had a two-shot lead. It's nice to have that two-shot cushion instead of the one like I had last year.
“I looked at the board after I made the bogey on six and I think I went back to nine under at that point and I said, 'if I can get to 14 under I think I've got a really good chance of winning this tournament.'
“I didn't quite get there. I got to 13 but that was good enough standing on the 18th tee.”
Despite leading by a stroke at one stage of Sunday afternoon, Rose finished joint-third, two strokes adrift of McIlroy.
He thanked the fans at Augusta for their support throughout the week, but bemoaned his lack of consistency after bogeys at 11 and 12 saw him fall off the pace.
“Felt like the crowd was amazing to me all week long,” he said. “They pulled for me all week long.
“I felt their encouragement and support. At the end it kind of goes a little flat. It's more of a sympathy than anything. But it was still nonetheless very beautiful. But, yeah, another little stinger.
“I think just a chance that got away obviously. You know, I was by no means kind of free and clear and was nowhere kind of close to having the job done, but I was right in position.
“I was playing great, but just momentum shifted for me around Amen Corner.”
