Rory McIlroy fought back tears inside the Butler Cabin as he thanked his loyal supporters after winning a second Masters in a row. His one-under-par round of 71 on Sunday saw him finish one shot clear of world No.1 Scottie Scheffler. Englishmen Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Rose were among four players tied for third on 10-under. McIlroy becomes just the fourth player in history to win successive Masters titles after Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).

Sky Sports cameras showed fans at his hometown Holywood Golf Club roaring with delight at midnight UK time as McIlroy confirmed himself as a repeat Masters champion. Asked what message he had for those back home, McIlroy choked up and said: "Just thank you for all the support. I was a little kid with a dream and the support that I had from my family and my friends and everyone back home... some people probably thought it was outlandish to dream of the things I wanted to do. But I had amazing support from back home and I can't thank them all enough for that continued support."

The Northern Irishman added: "I can't believe I waited 17 years to get one Green Jacket and now I get two in a row. 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, so happy to hang in there and get the job done.

"I made a double early on the first last year. I made a double on four this year. Then I played flawless golf after that. I made four birdies and no bogeys going into the last tee. Then I had a two-shot lead. It was nice to have a two-shot cushion instead of the one I had last year!

"I looked at the board after I made the bogey on six and I went back to -9 at that point. I said, 'If I can get back to -14, I've got a really good chance of winning this tournament.' I didn't quite get there, I got to -13, but it was good enough standing on the 18th tee.

"To make a birdie at 13 following the birdie on 12 was massive. It's the second major win my mum has been at, she was at The Open at Hoylake in 2014. There was a piece of them that didn't want to come because they didn't come last year and thought 'OK maybe that was the reason.' I'm so glad they got to experience this today. We're all going to have a great time tonight.

"I did [watch the scoreboard]. I felt like I needed to, especially after the rough start. I needed to know where I was in the tournament. After the sixth hole I was like 'If I can get back to even par for the day...' which I did, I knew I'd be right in there going into the back nine.

"I was keeping an eye all day and thankfully there were a few guys that made a run but nothing like what Justin [Rose] did last year with that 66. Some good play from me and fortunate the guys didn't really come at me this year."

McIlroy shared embraces with his dad Gerry and mum Rosie behind the 18th hole, as well as his daughter Poppy and wife Erica Stoll. After welling up, he walked back to the clubhouse where his friends Shane McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood were waiting to congratulate him.

Twelve months ago, he ended an 11-year wait for a Major as he completed his career Grand Slam at Augusta National. A year later, he has matched Phil Mickelson, Sir Nick Faldo and Lee Trevino on six Majors. He is just one behind the great Arnold Palmer.

Runner-up Scheffler, who started 12 shots behind leader McIlroy on Saturday, reacted: "I put up a good fight this weekend. Starting 12 shots back was not ideal and to give myself a chance on Sunday was a good fight. Obviously I came up a couple of shots short but definitely proud of how I played and I did some really good stuff over the weekend."

A gutted Rose, who has finished second three times at the Masters and was tied for third this year, reflected: "I wasn't chasing or following the leaderboard, but I assume I was right there around Amen Corner, and unfortunately I had two untimely bogeys at 11 and 12.

"That kind of halted the momentum. I tried to get it back on 13, but I was maybe too aggressive. I lost my patience a bit off the back of two bogeys. Those are the little things that end up costing you. But I played well, starting the day three back I gave myself every opportunity.

"But yeah, Amen Corner got me on this occasion, but fun to be in the hunt again - no doubt. I was asked this week if I need to do anything different, I don't think I do. Today I could have executed better. That vital bit of commitment on a couple of shots is what it always boils down to. But some weeks you do it, I've won and closed out many tournaments. I'll come back next year and give everything of course."