Masters 2026 Review: Rory Makes History, Rose Heartbreak Again, and a Fairway Long Shot Delivers
Rory McIlroy has joined the most exclusive club in golf. With a gutsy, white-knuckle final round of 1-under 71, the Northern Irishman defended his Masters title to become only the fourth player in history to win back-to-back green jackets, following Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).
His winning total of 12-under was enough by a single stroke over Scottie Scheffler, with Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, Cameron Young and Russell Henley sharing third at 10-under. It was a Sunday at Augusta that had everything: lead changes, heartbreak, unlikely heroes, and a finish that kept you gripping the armrest until the very last putt dropped.
A Six-Shot Lead Evaporates
McIlroy had looked imperious through 36 holes, building a tournament-record six-stroke lead at the halfway mark. But Saturday's third round changed everything. The field closed in, and by the time he walked to the first tee on Sunday, he was tied with Cameron Young at 11-under. The coronation had become a contest.
Rose Takes the Lead, Then Loses It
The story of the final round, for a stretch, belonged to Justin Rose. The 45-year-old Englishman, already a three-time Masters runner-up, birdied the 8th and 9th holes to surge to 12-under and the outright lead. For a brief, tantalising spell mid-round, Rose led McIlroy by two shots. The Augusta patrons were on their feet. Could this finally be his moment?
It wasn't to be. The par-3 12th, that thin strip of green guarded by Rae's Creek, proved decisive once again. McIlroy stuck his tee shot to inside seven feet and converted the birdie. Rose, meanwhile, missed the green and then chunked his chip. A cruel sequence that swung the tournament by three shots in the space of minutes.
Rose's tee shot on the 17th drifted into the trees but caught a miraculous bounce off a branch back into the fairway. He finished at 10-under for a share of third, agonisingly close once more. At 45, time is not on his side, but his performance this week reminded everyone that Augusta brings out the very best in him.
The Fairway's Take on Rose
For followers of The Fairway, Rose's T3 finish was significant. With pre-tournament outright odds of around 33/1, anyone who backed Rose each way collected a healthy payout. With most bookmakers paying approximately 8 places each way, a T3 finish meant the place part paid out comfortably. If you followed Rose on the strength of his 2025 runner-up form and his consistent Augusta record, this was a satisfying return.
Scheffler's Bogey-Free Weekend
While all eyes were on the lead battle, Scottie Scheffler quietly produced one of the most remarkable statistical feats in Masters history. The world number one went bogey-free across both the third and fourth rounds, the first player to achieve that at Augusta since 1942. His closing 68 brought him from well off the pace to within a single shot of McIlroy, posting 11-under in the clubhouse and putting immense pressure on the leader.
His birdie putt on the 17th grazed the lip but refused to drop. Had it fallen, Sunday's finish could have been very different.
McIlroy Survives the 18th
Leading by two coming to the final hole, McIlroy sliced his drive right into trouble. From a difficult position he found a greenside bunker with his second, then splashed out onto the green with his third. Two putts later he had his bogey, and it was just enough. One shot clear. Green jacket secured.
His family, who nearly didn't attend this year after skipping the 2025 tournament (superstitiously wondering if their absence had helped), were there to see it.
The Fairway's Long Shot: Russell Henley Delivers
One name that stood out this week, and one we are particularly pleased about, is Russell Henley. The Georgia native was available at 66/1 pre-tournament and was featured as a long shot pick in The Fairway's Masters email campaign.
Henley's final round 68 was a masterclass in consistency, and his T3 finish at 10-under secured him his fifth top-10 in his last nine major championship appearances. For anyone who backed Henley each way at those odds, the place payout was an excellent result from a player whose Augusta pedigree was always better than the market suggested.
The Numbers
With bookmakers paying approximately 8 places each way, a T3 finish at 66/1 returned handsomely on the place part alone. A reminder that long shot value is out there if you know where to look.
Haotong Li's Amen Corner Nightmare
Spare a thought for Haotong Li, who was in contention before a quintuple bogey on the 12th hole during the final round sent him tumbling down the leaderboard. Amen Corner giveth, and Amen Corner taketh away.
Final Leaderboard (Top 10)
| Pos | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rory McIlroy | -12 |
| 2 | Scottie Scheffler | -11 |
| T3 | Justin Rose | -10 |
| T3 | Tyrrell Hatton | -10 |
| T3 | Cameron Young | -10 |
| T3 | Russell Henley | -10 |
| T7 | Collin Morikawa | -9 |
| T7 | Sam Burns | -9 |
| T9 | Max Homa | -8 |
| T9 | Xander Schauffele | -8 |
What's Next
The major championship season now moves to the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania (May 14-17). Scheffler is already installed as the early favourite after his remarkable weekend performance, with McIlroy and Rose sure to attract plenty of attention too.
We will have full odds comparison and picks coverage on thefairway.app as the prices develop. Sign up to our email to receive PGA Championship long shots and value picks 48 hours before tee off.
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