President Donald Trump has led the tributes to Rory McIlroy following the Northern Irishman’s historic defense of the Masters title at Augusta.
The President took to his Truth Social platform on Sunday evening to praise McIlroy’s resilience after the 36-year-old secured his second consecutive green jacket.
Trump wrote: ‘Congratulations to Rory McIlroy on another Great Championship, The Masters! He performed tremendously under intense pressure, something which few people would be able to even think about doing.
‘With each year, Rory is becoming more and more a LEGEND! I look forward to watching him compete in two weeks at Doral. The quality of Professional Golfers today has become extraordinary, each and every one of them.
‘They should all be proud of the way they played at The Masters this weekend!’
The message arrived just moments after McIlroy tapped in for a one-shot victory over Scottie Scheffler, a win that saw him join the likes of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
By winning for the second consecutive year, McIlroy became only the fourth player in the tournament’s 90-year history to successfully defend the title.
The President is a long-standing enthusiast of the sport and frequently hosts professional events and high-profile players at his portfolio of global golf courses.
His 18-hole properties, including Trump National Doral in Miami, have regularly served as venues for major professional tours and elite championships.
The President’s mention of Doral refers to the upcoming event scheduled at the ‘Blue Monster’ course, where the world’s best players are expected to compete.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has remained a vocal supporter of the professional game, often commenting on the skill and composure of the modern field.
The 2026 Masters proved to be a display of that elite depth, as McIlroy was pushed to the final hole by a relentless charge from the world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
McIlroy entered the week under immense scrutiny as the defending champion, particularly after completing his career Grand Slam at the venue last year.
His path to the green jacket was anything but straightforward, as he nearly saw a historic six-shot advantage vanish during a chaotic third round.
After a Friday birdie blitz placed him in total control, a shaky Saturday saw his lead evaporate, leaving him in a dead heat with the field heading into the finale.
However, the 36-year-old showed remarkable mental toughness to reset for the final 18 holes, refusing to let the momentum shift further away from him on Sunday.
He maintained his lead through a difficult Sunday at Augusta, navigating the treacherous back nine with the discipline the President highlighted in his post.
The victory marks McIlroy’s sixth major championship, moving him further up the list of the most successful players in the history of the sport.
