ByAndy Gray. BBC Sport NI Journalist. 7 hours ago. 47 Comments. With a tap into the hole, a look to the sky and a release of emotion, another chapter of golfing history was complete.. A year on from his first Augusta triumph, Rory McIlroy became only the fourth man to defend the Masters title.. He joins esteemed company in Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods, who also donned the Green Jacket in successive years.. But what were the key shots that helped the Northern Irishman on his way to consecutive victories at Augusta National?. Image source, Getty Images. McIlroy wins second successive Masters and sixth major – reaction. McIlroy proves he really is free with back-to-back Masters win. 8 hours ago. McIlroy holds nerve to win second successive Masters. 8 hours ago. First day roll. McIlroy opened his Masters bid with an opening round of 67, and the highlight was a run of three birdies on the bounce on the back nine that put him in the joint lead with American Sam Burns.. After picking up shots on the 13th and 14th holes, McIlroy took on the par-five 15th and while his third shot to 29 feet wasn’t the strongest set-up shot of his round, what followed was perfection.. The ball curled beautifully from left to right and fell into the hole, which prompted a muted raised fist from McIlroy.. He would end the day joint-top of the standings.. Chip-in magic. There is just something special about watching an athlete at the top of their game around one of the sport’s most iconic venues.. That’s exactly what happened on the back nine of McIlroy’s second round on Friday, with six birdies in seven holes in a scintillating performance.. The highlight was undoubtedly his chip in on the 17th, after missing the green off to the right by some distance.. However, with a delicate touch and the flag on the far side of the green, his near 30-yard effort was perfection, taking a bounce on the putting surface before rolling straight into the cup.. This time the celebration wasn’t as muted as he raised his arm aloft, club still in hand, as the crowd went into raptures.. Another birdie would follow on the final hole, and his second round of 65 gave him a Masters record six-stroke lead after 36 holes.. Down to a tee. Just 24 hours after his record round, McIlroy’s advantage was eradicated as he toiled on Saturday to a one-over 73.. His hopes looked like they were fading further on Sunday with a double bogey and bogey in the first six holes, but McIlroy rallied and started to work his way back up the leaderboard.. The turning point came on the 12th at Amen Corner, when the 36-year-old nailed his tee shot on the 155-yard par three to just under seven feet from the hole.. No other player got as close to the pin all day, and he duly holed the putt to take a two-stroke lead, as Cameron Young missed his effort to keep pace.. McIlroy would not look back from there, and another birdie followed at 13. Amen Corner was tamed, and McIlroy was on the home straight.. Shot reminis
