April 12 (UPI) -- Rory McIlroy watched his historic lead evaporate, but responded with the mettle of a champion to defend his Masters title Sunday in August, Ga.
McIlroy, who needed 17 attempts to win his first Masters Tournament last spring, added a second green jacket to his closet less than a year later.
With Sunday's victory, he became just the fourth player to win consecutive Masters crowns, joining Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).
"I can't believe I waited 17 years to get one green jacket and then I get two in a row," McIlroy said on the CBS broadcast. "I think all of my perseverance at this golf tournament over the years has really started to pay off. It was a tough weekend. I did the bulk of my work on Thursday and Friday.
"I'm just so happy to hang in there and get the job done."
