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Agence France-Presse

Rory McIlroy, whose emotional 2025 Masters victory completed an incredible career grand slam, chases an even rarer feat this year – repeating as champion at Augusta National.
The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland hopes to join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the only golfers to capture back-to-back green jackets when the 90th Masters tees off Thursday.
“I know defending the Masters tournament is a pretty rare feat, and it’s something I’d love to do,” McIlroy said.
“I’ve won it once and I feel like that will make it a bit easier for me to win again.”
McIlroy delivered an image for the ages when he fell to his knees last April after ending a 10-year major win drought by defeating Justin Rose in a play-off to win the Masters.
McIlroy joined a career grand slam group that also includes Nicklaus, Woods, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler is a slight favourite over world No 2 McIlroy, even though the defending champion said he has recovered from a back injury that forced him to withdraw last month at Bay Hill.
American Scheffler, a two-time Masters winner, took the American Express title in January and last year’s British Open and PGA Championship.
Scheffler, who withdrew from last month’s Houston Open as he and his wife are expecting their second child, is working on mental aspects of his game.
“My expectations all are based around what I want mentally,” Scheffler said. “So far throughout this season I’ve been really good in some spots and some other spots I feel like I can improve in terms of my commitment to the shot.”
Tiger Woods, a 15-time major winner, will not attend after pleading not guilty to DUI charges stemming from a March 27 car crash.
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in,” Woods said. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health.”
Masters chairman Fred Ridley and the PGA Tour supported the 15-time major winner’s decision.
Five Americans with multiple major titles seek their first green jacket – Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa, who withdrew from the PGA’s Texas Open with a sore back.
DeChambeau and Jon Rahm from LIV Golf also are fancied. DeChambeau won titles last month in South Africa and Singapore while Rahm won in Hong Kong.
“I know I have to dial in my wedges. That’s going to be a big thing for me,” DeChambeau said when asked about the Masters.
“If I’m five more per cent consistent, I have a better chance than what I did last year at the Masters.”
PGA Valspar Championship winner Matt Fitzpatrick was asked about his confidence on winning the Masters after his first PGA title in almost three years.

“I’m probably going to win,” Fitzpatrick said with a laugh. “No, I mean, I’m obviously very confident in my game right now.
“But what it takes to win a major is very different to what it takes to win on the PGA Tour, particularly the Masters. There’s extra pressure on the Masters, no matter who you are. It just has that standing above all the other events, as well as the majors.”
England’s Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open winner, seeks a hot start at Augusta.
“There’s stuff I want to improve,” he said. “I want to make sure I’m ready for when I get to Augusta and to be ready that Thursday morning.”
Players Championship winner Cameron Young said winning at TPC Sawgrass was “the best prep you could ask for”.
“My goal is to be prepared to be playing late on Sunday at Augusta ... it’s to be ready and comfortable when that moment comes.”


Thai amateur golfer ‘Fifa’ ready to kick off historic Masters debut at Augusta National

Rory McIlroy aims to join illustrious group with rare Masters repeat at Augusta

Phil Mickelson withdraws from Masters, joins Tiger Woods in pulling out of major

After car crash, Tiger Woods told officer he was ‘talking to the president’

The Masters

Rory McIlroy hopes to join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the only golfers to capture back-to-back green jackets. Photo: AP 

Scottie Scheffler won the American Express title in January and last year’s British Open and PGA Championship. Photo: AFP

LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau is among the list of favourites for the Masters. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong win Women’s World Championship ice hockey event with match to spare

Hong Kong’s 3-1 win over Ukraine on Friday was their fourth win in as many matches. Photo: Hong Kong, China Ice Hockey Association

Hong Kong’s Estelle Ip (middle) and Iris Li jostle with Ukraine’s Radmila Vedmedenko. Photo:  HKCIA

Hong Kong goalkeeper Keira Mok was named player of the match. Photo:  HKCIA

The first world championship tournaments to be held in Hong Kong have drawn big crowds. Photo:  HKCIA

China’s Sun and Wang battle into World Cup semi-finals on day of upsets in Macau

Wang Chuqin celebrates beating Darko Jorgic in the quarter-finals of the ITTF World Cup in Macau. Photo: Xinhua

Egypt’s Hana Goda almost got the better of Sun Yingsha. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Golf

Scottie Scheffler is a slight favourite over the Northern Irishman, with LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm also in contention


Scottie Scheffler is a slight favourite over the Northern Irishman, with LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm also in contention.


Rory McIlroy aims to join illustrious group with rare Masters repeat at Augusta

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Scottie Scheffler is a slight favourite over the Northern Irishman, with LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm also in contention

Scottie Scheffler is a slight favourite over the Northern Irishman, with LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm also in contention