Rory McIlroy responds to comparisons with Tiger Woods and Sir Nick Faldo after Masters win

Lewis Henderson
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:08:00 +0000

Rory McIlroy has responded to comparisons with Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Sir Nick Faldo following his Masters win.

The Northern Irishman claimed his second green jacket over the weekend, beating world number one Scottie Scheffler by one stroke in a thrilling four days of golf.

The career grand slam winner has now tied Faldo with six major titles after shooting 12-under par, becoming just the fourth player ever to win back-to-back Masters tournaments.

When questioned about what it was like to be compared to the golfing icons, McIlroy said: "It's hard. I don't know. I keep saying that's up for other people to decide, but I'm starting to do things that very few others have done, and it's a really cool place to be.

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"I'm incredibly grateful I get to do it, and I don't feel like I'm done yet, and hopefully there's still a lot left in the tank."

Only Faldo, Woods and Nicklaus have won back-to-back green jackets, with McIlroy joining the illustrious list.

The golfing star shared his "joy" after winning his second Masters, adding that it created a sense of "belonging" for him.

He said: "I feel like if you play this tournament and you haven't won a green jacket, there's a sense that you still don't belong in some way, and I just felt this sense this year of belonging.

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"And then when you win, it's just like this joy and a little bit of irony that it took me so long to get one, and then all of a sudden, two come along so quickly."

Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Rose, Cameron Young and Russell Henley all shared third place, four shots behind the champion.

When his final putt dropped, McIlroy looked skyward and let out an enormous roar before embracing caddie and best friend Harry Diamond on the 18th green.

The golfing star's most touching moment came when he addressed his parents, Rosie and Gerry, during the presentation ceremony.

"My mum and dad, they weren't here last year to celebrate with us," he said, visibly emotional.

"Surprisingly, I had to convince them to come this year, because they thought the reason I won was because they weren't here. I'm glad we proved that wrong."

The two-time champion then delivered a heartfelt tribute: "I owe everything to you. You are the most wonderful parents and if I can be half the parent to Poppy as you are to me, I know I'll have done a good job."

He also shared a special embrace with his wife, Erica, and daughter, Poppy, beside the 18th green.

This triumph cements McIlroy's place among golf's all-time greats.

The golfing star was keen to prove his 2025 victory wasn't a one-off.

"I did want to come back and prove that last year wasn't a fluke," he said at the presentation.

"The Masters continues to be the shining light of the majors, and I'm so honoured and thrilled to win for the second time."