Rory McIlroy holds off Scottie Scheffler to become first repeat Masters champ since Tiger Woods in 2002

AUGUSTA, Ga.— What a week for Rory McIlroy.What a week.He arrived to Augusta National as the defending Masters champion, a year removed from completing the career Grand Slam.He left on Sunday night a two-time Masters winner after what had to be the most volatile week of emotional swings of his life … right down to the final hole on which he nearly made a colossal mess by sailing his tee shot into the right trees.McIlroy had the tournament won on Friday night, was leaking more oil than a downed tanker on Saturday and he seized control like the defending champion he was on Sunday.Finishing on 12-under par, McIlroy won by one shot after his bogey-save on 18, not needing a playoff to win as he did last year over Justin Rose.McIlroy, of course, made history last year because he completed the Grand Slam.

He made history on Sunday, too, because he became just the fourth player in Masters history to defend the title.Jack Nicklaus did it in 1965-66.Nick Faldo did it in 1989-90.

And Tiger Woods did it in 2001-02.McIlroy staved off a spirited late run by two-time Masters winner Scottie Scheffler, who birdied two of the final four holes.Scheffler finished 11-under par.He staved off Cam Young, with whom he shared the lead at the start of the day.

Young finished 10-under.He staved off Rose, who had a two-shot lead at the turn but finished 10-under.He, too, staved off Russell Henley and Tyrrell Hatton, both of whom also finished 10-under.On Saturday, after he’d lost his six-shot lead, this is what McIlroy said when asked what he expected of himself on Sunday.“I’d like to think that I’ll play a little bit freer and I’ll play like I’ve already got a green jacket, which I do,’’ he said. He did just that.McIlroy hosted the annual Champions dinner and enjoyed all the baubles given to Masters winners, a dream come true for him.There was talk before the tournament about how liberated he was after having finally won his Masters.He was as relaxed and engaging in pr...