Masters reaction as Rory McIlroy becomes one of the game's greats by holding off the world's best to become only the fourth man to win successive titles
McIlroy joins Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo in elite group to have won back-to-back titles at Augusta
McIlroy shot a final-day 71 to finish on 12 under, one stroke clear of world number one Scottie Scheffler, on another Masters Sunday for the ages
"I can't believe I waited 17 times to get one Green Jacket and now I get two in a row," said McIlroy, who clinched his sixth major to draw level with England's Sir Nick Faldo
Justin Rose, 45, looked to be creating his own fairytale story when he moved into a one-shot lead midway through his final round but dropped shots at Amen Corner
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Like he says, "I don't make it easy for you." A lovely man and a joy to watch. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the final round.
John, Exeter
Rory deserved his victory. He attacked the course on the first two days. He nearly collapsed on the third day but held his nerve. The fourth day was a tremendous day of golf from all. Rory's second shot on 18 was classic.
Rory, Cumbria
It's not every day you get a congratulatory message from the Palace, is it?
The Royal Family said on X: "Congratulations Rory McIlroy on your extraordinary back-to-back win at the Masters."
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Trish Johnson
Former Europe Solheim Cup player on BBC Radio 5 Live
Rory McIlroy has described his caddy Harry Diamond as the big brother he never had - someone he looks up to tremendously.
Harry himself is a very, very good golfer. They played junior golf together, and that is always a big advantage when you have a player on your bag who can see what Rory can see as well.
They have such a great rapport, and I don't underestimate how important it is to have a caddy who is also a friend in those really pressurised moments - it means so much.
It's a wonderful moment for him.
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McIlroy holds nerve to win second successive Masters
Andrew Murray
Former European Tour winner on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast
You really do have to feel for Justin Rose. So close - and he had it, really, just a few blips around Amen Corner, which is notorious.
The back nine at Augusta National found him out, and it wasn't quite to be this year. He'll be back fighting, though - he's another tough cookie.
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Great win for Rory McIlroy, and he has certainly exorcised his demons at Augusta National. Feel for Justin Rose, I'd love to see him win another major (or two) - ideally an Open Championship or the Masters).
David Milburn
Justin Rose said his latest run at the Masters was the "chance that got away" as he let slip a final-round lead and fell short of the Green Jacket once again.
The Englishman, a three-time runner-up at Augusta National, was unable to shed his 'nearly man' tag as he finished joint third at 10 under - two behind Rory McIlroy, who beat Rose in a play-off last year and successfully defended his title on Sunday.
Rose stormed through the front nine and led by two shots at the turn, but faltered at Amen Corner's 11th and 12th holes and was unable to recover.
"I was by no means free and clear and was nowhere close to having the job done, but I was right in position," Rose said.
"I was really in control - the first 10 holes I felt like I was - and the mentality was to run through the finish line, not just try and get it done.
"I was playing great, but momentum shifted for me around the Amen Corner. That three-putt was untimely for sure."
'Another little stinger.' Justin Rose reacts to another close call at the Masters
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport golf reporter
Justin Rose looked like a man on a mission on the front nine, but faltering on the par-four 11th - pushing his second shot right and then three-putting - stalled his momentum.
A duffed chip from the sticky fringe at the back of the green on the iconic par-three 12th was followed by another three-putt from an eagle opportunity on the scoreable par-five 13th.
Unable to recover, a frustrated Rose finished on 10 under and was denied the fourth Masters runners-up finish of his career.
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Brilliant for Rory McIlroy - a true superstar of golf - but you have to feel for Justin Rose. Both are tremendous players. It was a nail-biting finish.
William McMonagle
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I drove past Holywood Golf Club on the way to work this morning - it was absolutely packed! Rory McIlroy is up there with the greats of the game now and still has plenty of years to grow his legacy.
Daniel, Belfast
Andrew Murray
Former European Tour winner on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast
For me, Rory McIlroy is the greatest European golfer, for sure - and that says something, surpassing Nick Faldo and obviously the great Seve Ballesteros.
He's right up there in the top three or four I've ever seen. I've seen Tiger Woods at his best, and I saw Jack Nicklaus a little bit, though not in his absolute prime. Tiger was, without doubt, the best. Rory McIlroy, for me, is the best I've seen in recent times - the last decade or so.
Mark Simpson
BBC News NI
Rory McIlroy knows how to put his fans through the wringer - and Sunday at Augusta National was no different.
At his home golf club in Northern Ireland, the expressions on the faces of supporters crammed into the small clubhouse said it all.
But the mental toughness of McIlroy was what impressed fans at Holywood Golf Club the most, as he sealed his second Masters title to become only the fourth man to go back-to-back in the tournament.
Catch up on how they celebrated the historic achievement in Holywood here.
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BBC Radio Ulster
Holywood Golf Club captain Kieran Diver, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster:
On the atmosphere last night: "It was unbelievable last night. Last year was fantastic, but last night went up another five notches at least. The atmosphere was superb."
On the pride felt at the club: "Members were bursting with pride last night. I go back to the memories of him being around the club and being a massive part of this club.
"Last night we had South Africans, Americans, and a couple of guys from Germany who were fantastic and loved the atmosphere. They came with the purpose of watching it [at Holywood].
"As one person said, 'If you are not in Augusta, you need to be at Holywood Golf Club!' I would tend to agree with that, and I think last night I would rather have been at Holywood Golf Club. It was just so good.
On whether Rory will bring the Green Jacket back to Holywood: "We would love to see Rory McIlroy up here, but he has such a tight schedule.
"I am biased, but the bottom line is we see Rory as the best sports person in the world. So he is going to be hard to get a hold of this year."
It is safe to say that Rory McIlroy's home golf club in Holywood enjoyed the win.
Watch: Holywood Golf Club react to Rory McIlory winning back-to-back Masters
Luke Donald: "Tying Seve with two green jackets will mean a lot to Rory. He is undoubtedly the best European golfer of all time now."
Phil Mickelson: "Congrats to Rory McIlroy for an exciting Masters win. Back to back is simply remarkable."
Thomas Bjorn: "London bus. Legend."
Justin Rose: "I'll just keep knocking on that door. See you next year Augusta! Congratulations Rory McIlroy."
Oh, and United States President Donald Trump: "With each year, Rory is becoming more and more a LEGEND! I look forward to watching him compete in two weeks at Doral. The quality of professional golfers today has become extraordinary, each and every one of them. They should all be proud of the way they played at the Masters this weekend!"
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC Sport Northern Ireland's Stephen Watson got an exclusive interview with Rory McIlroy at Augusta National.
Stephen first met McIlroy when he was just 10 years old.
Rory McIlroy: Exclusive interview with back-to-back Masters champion
Trish Johnson
Former Europe Solheim Cup player on BBC Radio 5 Live
The thing I love most about him is that he's an entertainer, and that is his greatest quality. He knows golf is an entertainment sport, and he entertains in so many different ways - not just with his ability, but with his body language, his fallibility, and all the things we all go through when we're playing golf.
You see that in Rory McIlroy, except we don't have his genius.
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I was travelling back from North Carolina yesterday, and the plane took off just as Rory hit his tee shot on 18… it was a nerve-racking wait to see if he went on to win! Proud NI man this morning.
Zachary, Northern Ireland (still in transit home)
How do you explain what McIlroy has gone through at Augusta?
After so many near misses, even the most optimistic of McIlroy fans would have been questioning whether he'd ever get his hands on a green jacket.
Of course, he ended that wait in 2025 in dramatic fashion as he finally got over the line.
But 12 months later he stands as one of only four players to have one back-to-back titles in Georgia.
"I can't believe I waited 17 times to get one Green Jacket and now I get two in a row," said McIlroy.
"All my perseverance at this golf course over the years has started to pay off."
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