Sports News
McIlroy wins back-to-back Masters by one shot as Scheffler's late charge falls short
Rory McIlroy won the Masters at Augusta National on Sunday, 12 April, finishing at 12 under par after a final-round 71 to beat world No 1 Scottie Scheffler by one shot. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that he became the fourth man to win consecutive Masters titles, after Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods, and that he earned a record $4.5 million from a $22.5 million purse.
The South China Morning Post stressed how close it came to going wrong. McIlroy had let a six-shot lead slip on Saturday and started the last round level with Cameron Young. Scheffler closed with a 68 and nearly got within one late on. It was McIlroy's sixth major and made him the first repeat winner at Augusta since Woods in 2002.
The Irish Examiner described a rollercoaster round: a double bogey at the par-3 4th, a recovery with birdies from the 7th and more at Amen Corner. Shane Lowry, McIlroy's close friend, fell away with an 80. The paper's main human story was McIlroy's parents, who were at Augusta this time after missing his first win.
“Mom and dad, I owe everything to you.” — Rory McIlroy, via Irish Examiner
How each outlet framed it
- FOX 5 Atlanta — a live local story: the key holes, the bogey at 18 and the record prize money.
- South China Morning Post — history and the duel: a lost lead recovered, and Scheffler's near miss.
- Irish Examiner — the Irish angle: the swings of the round, Lowry's bad day and McIlroy's family.
Where the numbers differ: FOX 5 Atlanta listed Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton tied for third at 10 under. The South China Morning Post had a four-way tie for third, adding Russell Henley and Cameron Young.