What have we learned post Augusta?
Rory McIlroy’s title defense clearly elevated his standing in the game. Becoming just the fourth player to don the famed green jacket in consecutive years. The win also pushed him into a foursome of other golfers with six major titles — Lee Trevino, Nick Faldo and Phil Mickelson.
However, when doing a deeper dive from the 90th Masters a number of clear realities have come into focus. Yes, McIlroy played superbly for the first two rounds — 67-65. His concluding play on Friday’s round with six birdies on the final seven holes was a clear statement of his immense talent.
On the flipside was his weekend play. Rory’s third round 73 provided a door opening that his chief rival Scottie Scheffler seized upon. Starting weekend play, the world number one player found himself 12 shots behind the Northern Irishman. The 29-year-old gamely pushed himself back into the fray with a 65 — matching the low score of the round with Cameron Young.
Going into Sunday’s final round, no less than 11 players were within five shots of the lead. A roller-coaster concluding 18 holes at Augusta National is an emotional ride of various twists and turns.
McIlroy helped himself with a birdie at the 3rd but then slid into retreat with a double bogey at the 4th and a bogey at the 6th. The 36-year-old displayed total discipline – not panicking given his three-shot deficit. He birdied the 7th and 8th to steady himself going into the final nine holes.
Starting the round four shots out of the lead — Scheffler started quickly with birdies at the 1st and 3rd. But between the 4th and 14th holes — no other birdies would come his way. One of the real setbacks for the Texan was his play at the par-5 13th. Normally, the hole provides a scoring opportunity but for Scheffler his play cumulatively produced no better than a one-over-par summary. One doesn’t win a Masters with such ineffectual play on a hole that should serve as a springboard and not an anchor weighing one down.
McIlroy won the Masters with his play at Amen Corner. The trio of holes encompassing the 11-13 is where matters generally crystalize prompting either supreme vindication or jarring disappointment. He parred the long difficult 11th and then secured a birdie at the short 12th with a brilliant 9-iorn approach to six feet. A massive drive followed at the par-5 13th and even after pulling his 8-iron approach into the par-5 was able to leave the green with a birdie secured.
Two-shot lead with two holes to go.
Rory saves par from off the green on 16.pic.twitter.com/6vB5MIfOeq
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 12, 2026
Scheffler gamely fought his way forward with back-to-back birdies at 15 and 16 but an excruciating miss at the penultimate hole was compounded with an indifferent approach at the 18th. Yes, his play on the weekend was proficient producing rounds of 65-68 and not a single blemish on the scorecard but the slow start for the first 36 holes proved to be a hill too high to reach the very top.
McIlroy’s ending was not without drama. He missed the green with his approach at the 17th and was totally fortunate his wayward drive far right at the 18th provided an opportunity to recover. The two-shot lead he had when arriving at the final hole provided just enough clearance for him to secure the triumph.
So, what happens now?
Scheffler is in the field for the signature RBC tournament at Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island. McIlroy has followed his game plan in not playing after a major championship.
Undoubtedly, the two golfers have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the pursuing pack.
After his 2025 Masters — McIlroy’s first major success since August 2014 – his play for the balance of the year was good but hardly noteworthy with no other wins happening.
For Scheffler the setback at last year’s Masters served to light his competitive fire and he proceeded to win two majors — the PGA Championship and The Open — and once again garnering Player-of-the-Year honors for a fourth consecutive year.
Here he comes 👀
Scottie Scheffler is T2 with three holes to play.pic.twitter.com/EgKoVH5Ks8
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 12, 2026
What will the remainder of 2026 mean for both men? McIlroy’s goal is to supplant Scheffler at the top of golf’s pyramid. Yet Scheffler has been the king of the castle as the sport’s best player since ascending to the number one position since May 2023.
Will McIlroy fare better in major championships in 2026 than he did in 2025? He only had one top ten in the other three.
Scheffler’s roadmap for 2026 will also be an interesting one to observe. His play this year has produced a win at the American Express event in the California desert. However, he has shown a penchant for slow starts in a number of his appearances this year — including the Masters.
What lies ahead will be illuminating for both. McIlroy is now unshackled from the critics who saw an underperforming talented player. Can he now use this year’s Masters win for even more defining successes in 2026?
Scheffler is well aware of the golf skills his chief rival possesses. He’s also extremely capable in putting in motion a clear rebuttal to the challenge of his dominance in golf the last few seasons.
What would add even more combustion to the mix is if the two actually are paired and playing the final 18 for a major championship. Which of the two would blink? Which would gain the upper hand?
Rivalries in all sports can be electric. Ali versus Frazier in boxing. Affirmed versus Alydar in horse racing. Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in tennis. Arnie versus Jack in golf.
During the peak years of Tiger Woods there was not really a rivalry because the 15-time major winner simply obliterated the competition. At certain times his main rivals such as Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh each sought to make various moves to elevate themselves but Woods was always the biggest shark in the waters.
McIlroy and Scheffler are now apart from the rest of the pack. Major championships are about making statements and setting in place permanent legacies. Each is fully aware of what the other is capable in doing and each is no less confident in their own golf abilities.
The 2025 season started with McIlroy’s rise but it was Scheffler who still held the higher position when all was said and done.
The 2026 season has plenty of storylines that revolve around the two. The next major comes up next month at the PGA Championship at Aronimink just outside of Philadelphia.
McIlroy is 36 and his 37th birthday comes up May 4. Scheffler is 29 and turns 30 on Father’s Day — June 21. That date is also the final round of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills. A Scheffler win at the famed Long Island layout will elevate him as just the 7th golfer to complete the career Grand Slam. A feat Rory accomplished in 2025.
The contest ahead will be a test of two strong willed men each determined to outdo the other.
Who will be the driver and who will be the passenger?
Pull up your seat — grab your popcorn.
The show is just getting started.
Related: The Nicklaus / Woods debate
