The Masters turned at Amen Corner after Rory McIlroy's unexpected shot

Rory McIlroy hit a right‑drifting approach on the 12th at Amen Corner that landed, spun and settled to about seven feet, a shot that gave him the lead and helped him complete a back‑to‑back Masters win at 12‑under.

The amphitheater around Amen Corner filled with patrons who know the hole's history and usually expect conservative play on the 12th. On Sunday, many greeted safe approaches with audible disappointment and waited for something more dramatic. Rory McIlroy, who had a messy week with inconsistent driving, walked up to the 12th after a par on No. 11 with caddie Harry Diamond and followed a familiar plan. He played a three‑quarter 9‑iron that drifted right, landed on the green and spun to about seven feet. What happened: - McIlroy and Diamond had discussed aiming toward the middle and gauging the wind before the shot; the wind was reported as coming in from the left. - McIlroy struck a three‑quarter 9‑iron that faded right, landed near the center of the green and spun down to a roughly seven‑foot putt. - He made the putt to move to 12‑under, then birdied the 13th and finished the tournament at 12‑under to complete back‑to‑back Masters victories. - Justin Rose bogeyed the 11th, played conservatively on 12 and in the process lost his lead to McIlroy. - Cameron Young played a similar line on 12, left his ball about 14 feet from the hole, missed the birdie and finished tied for third. Summary: McIlroy's approach at the 12th gave him a makeable birdie opportunity that helped secure his lead and eventual title defense at the Masters. Undetermined at this time.