Rory McIlroy matches lowest final round in Masters history with 8-under 64 en route to second-place finish

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy has suffered plenty of heartache at the Masters.

Seven previous times at Augusta National, McIlroy has tried to complete the career grand slam by winning a green jacket. Seven previous times he failed to become just the sixth man to do it during the Masters era.

McIlroy didn't do it again on Sunday, but this time it hardly felt like defeat.

After starting Sunday 10 shots behind leader Scottie Scheffler, McIlroy matched the lowest score ever for a final round at the Masters with an 8-under 64. Seven other players have done it; Jordan Spieth was the last in 2018. McIlroy's bogey-free round on Sunday was the only one in the tournament.

McIlroy finished in second at 7-under after 72 holes, 3 shots back of Scheffler. It was McIlroy's best-ever finish at Augusta National.

«It's what you dream about, right?» McIlroy said. «You dream about getting yourself in position. I wasn't quite close enough to the lead. Scottie is playing really, really well. To play as well as I did today and then to finish like this, I mean, it's just absolutely incredible.»

On the par-4 18th, McIlroy hit his tee shot into a fairway bunker. Then he hit his second shot into a greenside bunker on the right. He chipped out high above the hole and watched his ball fall down the green and drop into the hole.

McIlroy dropped his wedge in the sand, raised both arms above his head and hugged his caddie, Harry Diamond, after climbing out of the bunker. His playing partner, Collin Morikawa, holed out from the same bunker a few moments later.

«This tournament never ceases to amaze,» McIlroy said. «Yeah, that's as happy as I've ever been on a golf course right there. Just having a chance, and then with Collin, we both played so well all