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(VIDEO) Rory McIlroy Faces Final-Round Pressure in Bid for Historic Back-to-Back Masters Wins
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy arrived at Augusta National Golf Club this week as the defending Masters champion, a man who had finally completed the career Grand Slam with a dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose in 2025. Now, the 36-year-old Northern Irish star is fighting to become just the fourth player in tournament history to win consecutive green jackets, joining legends Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.
AFP
As the final round of the 2026 Masters unfolds Sunday, McIlroy finds himself in a tense battle atop the leaderboard after surrendering a record six-shot 36-hole lead. Tied for the lead at 11-under par heading into the decisive 18 holes, McIlroy will tee off in the final group alongside surging challengers including Cameron Young and Sam Burns. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 and two-time Masters winner, lurks within striking distance as well.
McIlroy’s path to back-to-back glory hit turbulence on Saturday. After opening with rounds of 67 and 65 — the latter featuring a blistering back-nine charge with four straight birdies — he posted a 1-over 73 in the third round. That scorecard included several uncharacteristic mistakes, allowing Young to shoot a 7-under 65 and erase the deficit. McIlroy later expressed frustration but remained resolute.
“I’m not satisfied,” McIlroy said Friday night when holding the massive lead. “Augusta National can bite you in a heartbeat.” His Saturday comments after the round reflected the shift: the calm confidence of a Grand Slam winner tested by the course’s notorious difficulty.
The stakes could hardly be higher. McIlroy’s 2025 triumph in a sudden-death playoff capped an 11-year wait for the green jacket, making him the sixth player to win all four majors. That victory lifted a decade-plus burden that had defined much of his narrative despite four prior major titles (U.S. Open 2011, PGA Championship 2012 and 2014, British Open 2014). Now, defending as champion for the first time, he seeks to etch his name deeper into Masters lore.
Only three men have successfully defended their title here. Nicklaus did it twice, in 1965-66 and as part of his remarkable run. Faldo won in 1989-90, and Woods achieved the feat in 2001-02 as part of his “Tiger Slam.” McIlroy has spoken openly about how completing the Grand Slam shifted his perspective.
“The career Grand Slam was my destination, and I got there,” he reflected earlier this week. “Then I realized it wasn’t the destination. Now it’s about enjoying the journey and chasing more.” That mindset has fueled a strong 2026 season that included a runner-up finish at the Genesis Invitational and solid play before arriving at Augusta.
McIlroy entered the 2026 Masters as one of the betting favorites, though Scottie Scheffler opened as the top choice in many sportsbooks. McIlroy’s odds shortened dramatically after his record-setting 36-hole performance, reaching as low as -260 to win. Even after Saturday’s setback, he remained the slight favorite at around +148 to +178 entering Sunday, with Young close behind at +255. Burns and Scheffler trailed at longer but still viable odds.
The leaderboard drama intensified throughout moving day. Young, ranked third in the world, capitalized on pristine ball-striking to climb into a share of the lead. Burns stayed steady in contention, while Scheffler mounted a charge with a 7-under third round that reminded everyone of his dominance at Augusta. Other notables like Tommy Fleetwood and Patrick Reed hovered as potential spoilers.
Augusta National played firm and fast early in the week, rewarding precision off the tee and creative short-game recovery — areas where McIlroy has historically excelled when in form. His opening 67 featured five birdies despite missing several fairways, showcasing the scrambling ability that carried him to victory last year. Friday’s 65 was pure McIlroy at his peak: powerful drives paired with clutch putting on the demanding greens.
Yet Saturday exposed vulnerabilities. McIlroy admitted afterward that he lost rhythm on approach shots, leading to bogeys that prevented him from extending his advantage. The six-shot lead after 36 holes was the largest in Masters history, surpassing even some of Woods’ dominant performances. History suggests such cushions often shrink under Sunday pressure at Augusta, where back-nine collapses have defined many tournaments.
For McIlroy, the mental side looms large. He has thrived since last year’s breakthrough, describing a newfound freedom. “The weight is off my shoulders,” he said in pre-tournament interviews. That liberation helped him navigate a competitive 2026 schedule that saw mixed results, including a withdrawal from the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a T46 at The Players Championship before sharpening up for Augusta.
Pundits remain split on his chances. Some models project McIlroy as a 60-70% favorite to close it out, citing his experience and major pedigree. Others point to the tightened odds and Young’s momentum as reasons for caution. CBS Sports and ESPN analysts noted that while McIlroy remains the man to beat, a nervy final round could open the door for a multi-player scramble.
Golf fans worldwide have followed the story with fascination. Social media buzzed with debates over whether “King Rory” could repeat or if Augusta would deliver another twist. Live updates from the final round drew massive audiences, with many recalling McIlroy’s emotional 2025 celebration — collapsing in joy after holing the winning playoff putt.
Beyond the individual achievement, a McIlroy victory would underscore Europe’s continued strength in majors and add another chapter to the Northern Irishman’s legacy. At 36, he sits second in the Official World Golf Ranking behind Scheffler, a position that reflects consistent excellence across 29 PGA Tour wins and multiple DP World Tour titles.
If McIlroy prevails Sunday, he would join an even more exclusive club. No player has won back-to-back Masters since Woods in 2002. The achievement would also cement his status as one of the greatest of his generation, silencing lingering questions about his ability to dominate when it matters most.
Should he fall short, the narrative would pivot to resilience — a champion tested but undeterred, already possessing what many golfers spend lifetimes chasing. McIlroy has emphasized process over outcome in recent years, focusing on preparation and presence.
Whatever the final result, the 2026 Masters has delivered the theater expected of golf’s first major. From McIlroy’s historic lead to the weekend charge by Young and Scheffler, the week showcased why Augusta National remains the ultimate stage.
As the sun sets over the azaleas and the final putts drop, all eyes will be on the 18th green. Can Rory McIlroy summon the magic of 2025 once more? Or will a new name slip on the green jacket? The answer awaits in the shadows of Amen Corner and the pines of Georgia.
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Kaynar Group founder Kyle Ringin has been named the First Amongst Equals at the 2026 40under40 business awards, taking out the top honour recognising Western Australia’s emerging business leaders.
More than 600 people took to Crown to celebrate the tradie-turned-entrepreneur and 39 others in the 25th year of the Business News awards gala on Friday evening.
Attendees were entertained with a night of performances by Williams Creative Co, Japanese Wadaiko ensemble Taiko On and DJ crossed with live music duo, The New Now.
Having judged most of the 40under40 awards since its inception in 2002, Business News senior journalist and chief judge Mark Pownall said WA has continued to offer up a diverse cohort of excellent candidates.
Choosing the winners, he said, remained a challenge from the beginning.
“In our first year of 40under40, the judging panel caused a bit of angst for the event organisers by deciding to name two winners, because we could not split the tied pair,” Mr Pownall said.
“One was from a family business, the other from corporate WA.
“I felt that start set the tone for 40under40.”
Now, a total of 1,000 of WA’s business leaders have been inducted as 40under40 winners.
“It is not about any one sector in this state – it isn’t just small business, or family business, or startup founder, or careerists who have made it on St Georges Terrace,” Mr Pownall said.
“All of those can have a crack, and they have.”
Having undertaken an extensive interview and application process, Mr Ringin was recognised as both First Amongst Equals and the winner of the Family Business category.
Working as an apprentice auto electrician and workshop foreman in Broome, he identified a gap in the Kimberley for a reliable, locally skilled trades provider.
That led him to establish maintenance, mining and civil solutions provider Kaynar Group with his wife and co-founder Shaylee Greechan in 2020.
Mr Ringin has turned operating in extreme remoteness into a competitive advantage, all while delivering real impact for WA’s north.
Kaynar Group has grown rapidly over the past five years in both revenue and staff, employing more than 130 people.
But Mr Ringin‘s secret to success is simple – to seize any opportunity when it comes.
“One of our clients had a need for a mining provider when their current mining provider left,” he said after receiving the top honour.
“We stepping in without any right to be doing that, and delivered a mining program for six months to an exceptional standard that taught us we can deliver other disciplines as well.”
Using a people-first approach, Mr Ringin continues to build his local workforce and create opportunities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous remote youth through apprenticeships, TAFE and community partnerships.
“We are a people business and we trade in time but our product is trust, and this represents that,” Mr Ringin said.
First Amongst Equals finalists Jessica Wilson, Ben Smith and Kyle Hoath missed out on the top honour, but all won in other categories.
Ms Wilson, a Yindjibarndi and Njamal entrepreneur and artist, took home the Indigenous Business award.
As the founder of Seven Sisters Collective, she helps find opportunities for Indigenous artists on large projects and builds education among businesses.
After a career spanning hyper-growth consumer brands, Mr Smith’s leadership as chief executive of alcohol, drug and mental health support provider Holyoake earned him the Community, Social Enterprise or Not for Profit award.
And Dr Hoath, a defining voice in the state’s medical and civil leadership, won the Small or Start-Up Business award.
The consultant psychiatrist and newly elected President of the Australian Medical Association WA co-founded Oqea – a technology platform modernising mental health care.
The Pantry Group founder Sam Kaye was recognised with the People’s Choice award – recognising his journey which went from working at Daisies Cottesloe to owning the cafe alongside three other hospitality venues.
The other major category winners include:
You can read more about each of the winners in the May 18 edition of Business News’ print magazine, which will also be available online.
Congratulations to all of 2026’s 40under40 winners:
Jessica Wilson: Seven Sisters Collective
Sam Kaye: The Pantry Group
Zoran Aleksic: PCH Civil
Stephen Tormey: Bennco Engineering
David Gozzard: The University of Western Australia
Justin Barnes: Rocket Launcher
Tandin Dorji: Kingston International College
Joshua Wigley: Hyperion Systems
Mathew Wilson: Wilco Maintenance Solutions
Rowan Streater: Mayfair Building Co
Kane Smith: Smartfix
Alastair Mackenzie: Buddiup
Benn Ellard: White Spark Pictures / Surround Sync
Jo Gibb: Coliving Collective
Mark Bond: Consolidated Electrical Solutions
Luke Whelan: Perth is OK! / Social Meteor
Michael Agostino: Trendsetter Homes / Select Living
Damien Wragg: Trainwest
Ashley McGrath: CEOs for Gender Equity
Isabelle Charter: Betterlabs
Jeroen van Dalen: Integral Development Associates
Catherine Hyde: Amity Resources
Rachel Falzon: Women in Defence Association
Eli Barlow: Funday Entertainment Group / Lavender Estate
Jonathan Cover: JPS Management and Execution / Safe Isolation Australia
Mark D’Alessandro: Contec Australia / JCM Property Group
Samantha Johnson: Sexual Health Quarters
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq have advanced to record closing highs, boosted by robust earnings and a dip in crude prices.
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Q1: 2026-04-29 Earnings Summary
EPS of $4.17 misses by $0.16
| Revenue of $2.44B (9.84% Y/Y) misses by $65.83M
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Ronojoy Banerjee
Communications Lead – Finance
Good morning, and a very warm welcome to this Volvo Cars press conference, where we will be talking about our first quarter financial results and our strategic direction as a company.
My name is Ron. And as always, this morning, I’m joined by our President and Chief Executive, Hakan Samuelsson; our Chief Financial Officer, Fredrik Hansson; and we’re also joined by our Chief Commercial Officer, Erik Severinson. At the start of this press conference, Hakan, Erik and Fredrik will walk us through our performance. And thereafter, we’ll throw it open for a question-and-answer round.
You can participate in the Q&A around in two ways. [Operator Instructions ] I’ll come back with more information ahead of the Q&A round.
But for now, I’ll hand it over to you, Hakan.
Hakan Samuelsson
CEO, President & Director
Thank you, Ron, and welcome to the presentation of our quarter 1 result. It has been a mixed bag quarter. I mean external factors, extremely turbulent geopolitical situation, tariffs, currency also has been negative for us. Altogether, that has given us a revenue drop of 12%, 11% volume drop.
But we have also seen a very successful internal work with cost and cash. And that is really the reason why we have closed the quarter. Despite 11% volume drop, we have a profitability level more or less equal to first quarter last year. And that is thanks
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