Rory McIlroy’s record-breaking start to the Masters has prompted fans to question what will happen to one of the tournament’s most famous traditions if he goes on to retain his title.
Traditionally, the previous year’s champion at the Masters hands over the iconic green jacket to the winner at Augusta National.
The honour fell to Scottie Scheffler last year, with the American putting the jacket on McIlroy after the Northern Irishman ended his wait to win the major, completing the career Grand Slam in the process.
McIlroy’s stunning second round on Friday will see the defending champion head into the weekend on 12-under-par, six clear of Sam Burns and Patrick Reed.
Should McIlroy go on to clinch victory, he would become just the fourth player to win the Masters in back-to-back years.
Jack Nicklaus became the first to achieve the feat back in 1966 and on that occasion put the green jacket on himself.
Scottie Scheffler presented Rory McIlroy with his green jacket last year, but a rare tradition would occur if the Northern Irishman wins again this year
Jack Nicklaus presented the green jacket to himself after becoming the first back-to-back winner in 1966
Augusta National chairman William Johnson presented Tiger Woods with his green jacket in 2002
A new tradition has been adopted since, which occurred when Nick Faldo repeated in 1990 and Tiger Woods retained his title in 2002.
On both occasions, the honour of presenting the green jacket went to the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club.
This saw Faldo presented with his jacket by Hord Hardin, while William Johnson was on hand to place it around Woods’ shoulders.
A McIlroy repeat would therefore see the Northern Irishman presented with his jacket by current chairman Fred Ridley.
Ridley is the seventh chairman in Augusta’s history and has been in the position since 2017.
In his pursuit of back-to-back green jackets, McIlroy admitted after his second round that he feels like he is ‘playing with house money’.
‘It was an amazing end to the round and, when I was standing on the 12th tee, I didn’t imagine I would be six ahead going into the weekend,’ McIlroy said.
‘I’ve always loved this tournament, this golf course, even when I felt like it didn’t love me back.
Augusta chairman Fred Ridley would likely present McIlroy with his green jacket should he go on to become just the fourth back-to-back champion
‘It’s such a pleasure to be here, it’s a unique tournament, there is nothing else like this that we play. I so desperately wanted to win here so I could come back each and every year.’
McIlroy has vowed to ‘keep his foot on the gas’ rather than trying to protect his lead.
‘Over the years [at] this golf course, my mindset hasn’t been keep swinging,’ he admitted.
‘It’s been guided, tentative. I think the experience I’ve accrued over the years and obviously with what happened last year, it makes it a bit easier out there to keep swinging.’
