Rory McIlroy wins Masters, first to repeat since Tiger Woods - ESPN

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy had to wait more than a decade to win the Masters and complete the career Grand Slam.

He had to wait only a year to take home a second green jacket.

After squandering a record six-stroke lead in Saturday's third round, McIlroy briefly lost the lead again Sunday before taking control on the second nine at Augusta National to become the first back-to-back Masters champion since Tiger Woods in 2001-02 and the fourth overall (Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo).

A day after his 1-over 73 opened the door for a handful of golfers, McIlroy posted a 71 despite a bogey on the 18th to win by one stroke at 12-under 276.

«I thought it was so difficult to win last year because of trying to win the Masters and the Grand Slam, and then this year I realized it's just really difficult to win the Masters,» McIlroy said. «I tried to convince myself it was both.»

McIlroy became only the fourth golfer in the past 40 years to hold a lead or co-lead after each round of the Masters, according to ESPN Research.

With his sixth major championship victory, the Northern Ireland native joined England's Faldo for second most among European golfers. Only England's Harry Vardon won more with seven from 1896 to 1914.

As with last year, this Masters victory didn't come without some drama on the 18th hole. Holding a two-stroke lead, McIlroy badly sliced his drive into the trees on the right, his ball nearly reaching the edge of the 10th fairway. Standing in pine straw, McIlroy hooked an 8-iron high over the trees into the left bunker at the 18th. He punched out to 12 feet and two-putted for a bogey and one-shot victory over world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who finished at 11 under.

«There wasn't much to say [to caddie Harry Diamond],»