Back-to-back Masters titles have proved lucrative for Rory McIlroy.The Norther Irishman became just the fourth golfer to defend his green jacket at Augusta National on Sunday, when he held off a late charge from Scottie Scheffler.McIlroy has joined an exclusive list of back-to-back Masters championsGettyWith the victory, he joins Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo in the exclusive club of back-to-back Masters champions.To make his Sunday even sweeter, McIlroy’s one-shot win also saw him vault past both Woods and Phil Mickelson in career winnings at Augusta.Rory McIlroy sets Masters record for career prize moneyBy closing out his narrow victory with a two-putt bogey on the 18th green, McIlroy — who was later caught out by a rare Masters tradition — banked the $4.5million prize.He’s now pocketed $13.04m across 18 career appearances at Augusta.Mickelson held the record career prize money heading into this year’s competition, having racked up an impressive $9.87m from 32 appearances and three wins.Woods stood close behind, having made $9.64m from 26 appearances and five titles.But neither Mickelson nor Woods played at Augusta this time around, and 2026 was the first year they’ve both missed the Masters since way back in 1994.That allowed McIlroy to swoop in and take the money crown, with what was his sixth major title and a record breaking prize fund that saw McIlroy take up the $4.5m winners cheque.How did Rory McIlory react to historic Masters win?The world No. 2 rode another Augusta roller-coaster to his second title, after he built — and then squandered — a historic six-stroke halfway lead.McIlroy found himself two behind early in a dramatic final round, with playing partner Cameron Young and then rival Justin Rose both enjoying stints atop the leaderboard.It was another Masters roller-coaster for McIlroy, who surrendered a big lead before bouncing backGettyHe’s topped both Woods and Mickelson in Masters prize money with back-to-back winsAFPBut their leads were short lived as the defending champion battled back, with two birdies from the seventh and eighth, and back-to-back gains from the 12th that saw him go three ahead down the stretch.Rose and Scheffler did their part to set up a thrilling finish, but McIlroy held his nerve to close out a narrow win.“Absolutely delighted to get it done. Having a six-shot lead going into the weekend, it would have been a bitter pill to swallow if I wasn’t able to get myself over the finish line,” he said after victory at Augusta.“It’s hard to win golf tournaments, especially around here.“You’ve had maybe a couple runaway winners over the years, but it always seems to be a very tight finish (at the Masters).“It’s the nature of the golf course, it’s the nature of what’s at stake.”McIlroy has now won six majors across his impressive careerGettyWhile McIlory’s $4.5m will rightly make the headlines, some of those who fell short of the Masters title will also walk away significantly richer.How much money did other stars earn at the 2026 Masters?Second-placed Scheffler landed $2.43m for his effort, and the two-time winner also moved past Mickelson and Woods into second place in career prize money, with almost $10.5m from seven appearances at Augusta.Rose, Young, Tyrrell Hatton and Russell Henley all took home $1.08m each as they tied for third.Collin Morikawa and Sam Burns each took $725,625 for finishing T-7.2026 Masters prize money McIlory scooped the top prize in 2026, but how much did his rivals make?1st – Rory McIlroy – $4.5m2nd – Scottie Scheffler -$2.43mT-3rd – Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley, Justin Rose, Cameron Young – $1.08m eachT-7th – Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns – $725,625 eachT-9th – Max Homa, Xander Schauffele – $630,000 eachMax Homa and Xander Schauffele, who tied for ninth, landed $630,000.The Masters, of course, is about more than the money.But taking home millions of dollars will help soften the blow for those who fell short as McIlroy walked away the winner for the second-straight year.Stay up to date with the latest from golf across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.