Sunday 5 April 2026 20:22, UK
As Rory McIlroy returns to Augusta to defend his Masters title, take a look at some of the best shots he’s hit at the tournament.
Rory McIlroy has produced a string of spectacular moments at Augusta National — from power tee shots that set up short approaches to delicate recovery and chip-ins that have kept him in contention. Below are the most memorable categories of shots that define his Masters highlights.
1. Big-tee drives
– What stands out: sheer distance paired with direction. On several occasions McIlroy has overpowered long par‑5s and long par‑4s, leaving wedges into greens where others needed long iron approaches. Those drives have repeatedly put him in position to attack pins and build momentum.
2. Precision approaches
– What stands out: wedge and mid-iron approaches into Augusta’s fast, undulating greens. McIlroy’s ability to flight the ball close to check and hold has produced multiple birdie opportunities, especially when he’s attacked the front-left or back-right sections of greens.
3. Clutch recovery shots
– What stands out: when a tee shot misses the fairway or a chip goes awry, McIlroy’s short-game creativity often saves par or turns potential bogeys into halves. He has played several impressive punch-outs from the trees and delicate flop shots from tight lies to recover at key moments.
4. Bunker artistry
– What stands out: bunkers around Augusta are penal; McIlroy’s best sand play combines confident technique with touch. From plugged lies to long bunker saves, his ability to get the ball spinning and feeding toward the hole has been a vital tool.
5. Putting under pressure
– What stands out: long lag putts to save par and short, nerveless putts to convert birdie chances. On final-day greens, McIlroy’s stroke has delivered both momentum‑building makes and crucial saves that changed scorecards late in rounds.
6. Chip-ins and run-ins
– What stands out: moments when a short pitch or chip finds the cup. Those dramatic, momentum-shifting holes have punctuated McIlroy’s rounds at Augusta, drawing gasps and galvanising his play.
7. Shots around Amen Corner
– What stands out: the three-hole stretch from Nos. 11–13 tests shotmaking and temperament. McIlroy’s best shots here combine strategic club selection with creativity — hitting to safe sections when needed, and bravely attacking pin positions when the moment demands.
Why these shots matter
– Augusta rewards a blend of power, precision and imagination. McIlroy’s best moments there reveal a full game: length that creates scoring opportunities, irons that find ideal positions, and short game and putting that convert advantage into scoreboard gains. Those shots have helped him contend and, most importantly, defend the title he won.
Final thought
– At a course that can be as unforgiving as it is beautiful, McIlroy’s top shots at Augusta show both technical mastery and competitive temperament. As he returns to defend his Masters crown, those moments provide a reminder of his ability to produce magic when it matters most.