All posts tagged: rory mcilroy

Rory McIlroy becomes a golfing great with back-to-back Masters titles  – live reaction

Rory McIlroy becomes a golfing great with back-to-back Masters titles  – live reaction

Published by Sam Flores

By any and every measure the 36-year-old must now be considered one of the greatest of all time and, after he fended off the fast-finishing Scottie Scheffler, the countdown has already started to see if he can go where no other Masters champion has before: win three in a row. There can be no doubt that this is his manor after a display of clinical fortitude. He lost a six-shot advantage on Saturday and after a double-bogey on the fourth – courtesy of a three-putt from nine feet – and a bogey on the par-three sixth, he was two off the pace. And with Justin Rose pulling a few clear at the turn and world No 1 Scheffler poised to make his run, it looked bleak for McIlroy. But he did not panic and having largely fixed his left miss in Saturday night’s late, emergency practice session in the floodlights, he stuck by his gameplan. McIlroy outblasted and ultimately outlasted his rivals, including the world No 3 Cameron Young – and prevailed over Scheffler (68) …

Eight Golf WAGs to Watch at the Masters 2026

Eight Golf WAGs to Watch at the Masters 2026

Published by Sam Flores

Formula 1, tennis, or golf: It’s difficult to decide which of these sports holds the title of the world’s most glamorous. But this weekend, at least, it would seem the crown belongs to the latter as the great and good gather in Augusta, Georgia, for the Masters 2026. Marking the first of the four Majors played each year, the Masters boasts a storied history that dates back to 1934 and transcends the sport—even the uninitiated will have heard of the legendary “green jacket” bestowed upon the winner. The action unfolds in the pristine green surrounds of the Augusta National Golf Club, that prestigious address where stars including Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo, and Rory McIlroy have all emerged victorious. Jack Nicklaus holds the most Masters wins followed by Tiger Woods, who is skipping the event this year to “focus on his health” after being involved in a vehicle collision last month. (Woods has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence.) There is a lot at stake. Alongside the honor of calling themselves a Masters champion—and …

McIlroy hangs on for share of lead after madcap third round

McIlroy hangs on for share of lead after madcap third round

Published by Sam Flores

This moment was a central storyline in the theatre, but for so long for McIlroy it seemed – to adapt the Masters motto – a perdition like no other. This is not the first time that Augusta National has turned a procession into a recession for the pacesetter and into a cavalry chase for the rest. And it was not the first time that McIlroy had seen his lead gobbled up and spat back in his face. McIlroy knows from his own experience that shots here can scatter like confetti on the breeze. And if he cannot remember 2011, when he fired that final-round 80 – and believe it, he can – then this Saturday roller coaster can serve as a timely reminder. From the off, his record six-shot advantage became two in less than half an hour. Patrick Reed, his sometime nemesis, birdied the first three and with McIlroy bogeying the first and failing to birdie the par-five second, the yawning gap was suddenly tighter. No matter. Reed began to fade away, with his …

Rory McIlroy surges six clear and sets Masters record after stunning display

Rory McIlroy surges six clear and sets Masters record after stunning display

Published by Sam Flores

McIlroy sounded without fear about the prospect. “I’ve built up a nice cushion at this point. I guess my mindset is just trying to keep playing well and keeping my foot on the gas,” he said. “Don’t protect it. Go out and play freely, keep swinging. A big part of the lesson from the 2011 Masters to the 2011 US Open was: don’t get protective. Go out there and keep playing, keep trying to make birdies, stay as trusting and as committed as possible.” McIlroy knows his pursuers well. In fact, he knows Patrick Reed only too well. The divisive American saw off McIlroy in the last pairing in 2018 to don his Green Jacket. And then, three years ago, McIlroy took a little revenge over Reed at the Dubai Desert Classic in an almighty ding-dong that involved the American throwing a tee at the Northern Irishman and a feud developing through the media. It could still be delicious and following his 69, Reed agreed. “It’s one of those golf courses that if you go …

When is Rory McIlroy playing at the Masters today? UK tee times for round two

When is Rory McIlroy playing at the Masters today? UK tee times for round two

Published by Sam Flores

Rory McIlroy goes into the Masters second round today tied for the early lead at Augusta National. McIlroy will face stiff competition from world no1 Scottie Scheffler and co-leader Sam Burns, but the likes of heavily fancied LIV Golf pair Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm face a tough task to make the cut after nightmare opening rounds. McIlroy will be able to watch most, if not all, of his rivals tee off before taking to the first in the penultimate group. When is Rory McIlroy playing at the Masters today? McIlroy tees off at 6.44pm BST on day two – Friday, April 10, 2026 – at Augusta. He will again play alongside Cameron Young and amateur Mason Howell. ” loading=”lazy” class=”sc-eqUAAy kgsspP”/> Rory McIlroy on day one at Augusta National REUTERS What time does the Masters start? The first group tees off for the second round today at Augusta at 12.40pm BST, which is 7.40am local time in Georgia. Masters 2026 day two UK tee times 12.40pm: Samuel Stevens (US), Sung-jae Im (Kor) 12.50pm: Andrew …

Rory McIlroy in share of Masters lead after picking up where he left off

Rory McIlroy in share of Masters lead after picking up where he left off

Published by Sam Flores

His mood was understandably in direct contrast to that of McIlroy, who was rightly proud of himself. He began at 10.31am and did not hit a fairway until it was approaching 1pm – missing six in succession. It is not ideal but Augusta can be played that way if you stay aggressive. He birdied the second, courtesy of a fine pitch to three feet, and the next par five, the eighth, when launching a choked-down three-wood from 269 yards to 25 feet. On the ninth, he took advantage of finally locating the cut stuff, conjuring a wedge to eight feet. He was two under, probably had no right to be, but he appeared unflustered. From the 13th, he reeled off three birdies. He sliced his drive into the trees on the right, but chopped out and chipped to 14 feet. On this par-five last year, in that excruciating finale, he contrived to lay up and then knock his third into Rae’s Creek. This was a different pin position and a different day – a Thursday …

The haunting Masters meltdown that changed Rory McIlroy’s career

The haunting Masters meltdown that changed Rory McIlroy’s career

Published by Sam Flores

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in April 2023. CNN  —  Slumped on his club, head buried in his arm, Rory McIlroy looked on the verge of tears. The then-21-year-old had just watched his ball sink into the waters of Rae’s Creek at Augusta National and with it, his dream of winning The Masters, a dream that had looked so tantalizingly close mere hours earlier. As a four-time major winner and one of the most decorated names in the sport’s history, few players would turn down the chance to swap places with McIlroy heading into Augusta this week. Yet on Sunday afternoon of April 10, 2011, not a golfer in the world would have wished to be in the Northern Irishman’s shoes. A fresh-faced, mop-headed McIlroy had touched down in Georgia for the first major of the season with a reputation as the leading light of the next generation of stars. An excellent 2010 had marked his best season since turning pro three years earlier, highlighted by a first PGA Tour win at the …