AUGUSTA, Ga. — This time, Rory McIlroy did not have to wait until the final putt dropped to become emotional.

After marking his ball that was a few inches from the hole on the 18th green at Augusta National, McIlroy walked to the side of the green allowing playing partner Cameron Young to close his round. He crouched, started getting emotional and had his hand over his face.

"I looked at the back of the green and I gave it one of these," McIlroy said pumping both fists over his head.

"I looked and my mom and dad and Erica and Poppy (his wife and daughter) … I can't believe I did it again."

Jupiter's Rory McIlroy is a back-to-back Masters champion, having survived a roller-coaster final two rounds that ended with a bogey, which was all he needed to finish one shot ahead of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

McIlroy, who closed with a 71 for a total 12-under 276, is getting good at this celebration.

The look to the sky. The roar. The arms lifted high into the air. And of course, being serenaded by chants of "Rory, Rory, Rory."

But what made this victory sweeter was the hug line. Not only was he greeted by Erica and Poppy, but two special guests who were unable to witness his first Masters.

McIlroy draped his arms around his parents, Gerry and Rosie McIlroy, at once. They all had a good cry. Gerry and Rosie were not at Augusta a year ago when Rory outlasted Justin Rose on the first playoff hole. And they almost didn't come this year.

"I had to sort of convince them to come this year," McIlroy said. "They thought the reason I won last year was because they weren't here."

Now they can start booking their tickets for Augusta for 2027.

"They can keep coming as long as they want," Rory said.

McIlroy joined the exclusive Grand Slam club in 2025, occupied by Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

The fraternity he joins by winning a second consecutive Masters is even more exclusive. He is just the fourth, joining Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Woods.

And the first since Woods' second consecutive Masters in 2002.

Which means Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley was called upon to present McIlroy with his second green jacket, just the fourth time the chairman was called into action.

"I just can't believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket, and I get two in a row," he said. "I think all of my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off."

By perseverance he means practice, practice, practice.

Rory has been at Augusta National so much in the last three weeks that he said Augusta National feels like his home course.

And something he has never forgotten was advice from the man who has won six green jackets, more than anyone.