Sir Nick Faldo has taken a little dig at the media for trying to “make a story” out of the dynamic between Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young during the final round of the 2026 Masters. 

McIlroy, 36, got the better of the American after an exhilarating 18 holes at Augusta National on Sunday to become only the fourth golfer after Faldo, Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus to successfully defend the green jacket. 

The Northern Irishman finished one stroke ahead of world number one and pre-tournament favourite Scottie Scheffler and two clear of Young, 28, who was attempting to win his first major championship title. 

England’s Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton, along with Russell Henley, also finished in a share of third with Young. 

Young, who announced himself on the world stage with an excellent performance at last September’s Ryder Cup and backed it up with a one-shot win at the 2026 Players Championship, told reporters on Sunday evening that he believed he handled the moment fine. 

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Had a few more putts dropped then he could’ve slipped on the green jacket, he said. 

Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young

Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young

Young also revealed McIlroy deployed the same tactics that helped him claim his first Masters title 12 months ago when he played in the final pairing alongside his rival Bryson DeChambeau. 

McIlroy, on the advice of his sports psychologist Bob Rotella, opted not to speak to the LIV Golf recruit the final round apart from a tense exchange they shared on the ninth green. 

Turns out, despite appearing to be on friendlier terms, McIlroy and Young did not converse too much either. 

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McIlroy was spotted giving Young a thumbs up after the American also stiffed his approach on the iconic par-three 12th. 

“I’m not one to talk a ton to begin with,” Young said. “And I don’t think he really wanted to talk to me today.”

He added: “But we’re playing against each other [and] not trying to be best friends out there.”

Young’s comments sparked a litany of headlines about their duel. 

And three-time Masters champion Faldo, 68, was among those to voice his displeasure on X.

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Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy

“I want to have a little dig at the media,” he said. “Will you please shut up on this? Oh, ‘he didn’t talk to me again’. Making a story out of it.”

Faldo explained said he played with Jack Nicklaus during the final round of the 1990 Masters and the pair didn’t converse until they reached the 12th hole. 

“I played with the gentleman of all gentlemen, Jack, in 1990, last round,” Faldo said. “And we didn’t say a word to each other until we got to the 12th.

“And it was me, old chatterbox. I said: ‘Thank goodness we don’t play this hole every day of the week’. 

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“So Jack goes, ‘Yeah, I’ve been playing this for 35 years.’

“And I said, ‘Well, that’s older than me, Jack.’ 

“And that was it. He pulled a face when I whacked a putt in on 14. I hit it so hard he went, ‘What was that?’ 

“And we didn’t say anything to 18. So please stop all this rubbish.”

He added: “The most important thing is, what are we having for dinner [next year]?”

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Faldo was also full of praise for McIlroy and explained why he was in a rush to greet the two-time Masters champion on Sunday evening after the final putt dropped. 

“I didn’t see Rory for a full year,” he said. “This Masters from [the] last one. So that’s why I ran to him down at the [Butler] Cabin. 

“I said, I’m not waiting a full year, which was great, and gave him that little note, which I hope he thought was funny.

“I think you’ve got to marvel and appreciate, you know, the skill needed, the touch needed [to win]. 

“Talk about the touch and nerve that putt off the back of 16 and Scottie doing his best. Shout out to Scottie.

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“What an incredible weekend. And he created so many chances. Unbelievable. So he could have hold that one at 16. That went all right. Even those last three holes.

“I mean, the drama was amazing, wasn’t it? 

“So as I said, skill, touch, nerve, bravery, and determination. Hey, congrats, Rory. It was unbelievable.”

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