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Scheffler & Lowry’s ace feature in day three’s best shots
The Masters round three leaderboard
-11 C Young (US), R McIlroy (NI); -10 S Burns (US)
Selected: -9 S Lowry (Ire); -8 J Day (Aus), J Rose (Eng); -7 S Scheffler (US), L Haotong (Chn); -6 P Cantlay (US), P Reed (US); -4 T Hatton (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng)
The narrative of Rory McIlroy at the Masters has long been intertwined with moments of high drama, often leaving spectators on the edge of their seats.
Following McIlroy’s record-setting six-shot lead at the tournament’s midpoint on Friday, this year’s edition appeared poised to showcase a narrative of control rather than the familiar chaos.
Many anticipated a straightforward victory for the defending champion heading into Saturday’s third round. However, the day unfolded quite differently.
McIlroy of Northern Ireland saw his commanding advantage erode during a captivating day, opening the door for his competitors with a one-over-par 73.
He will begin Sunday’s final round tied at 11 under with American Cameron Young. A total of twelve players remain within six strokes of the leaders, setting the stage for a compelling conclusion.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, considering the quality of the players chasing me,” McIlroy, aiming to become only the fourth golfer to win consecutive Masters titles, remarked to Sky Sports.
“I would have preferred a better position going into [Sunday], especially after starting with a six-shot lead, but I still have a significant opportunity.
“I’m in the final group, and that’s exactly where you want to be.”
Last year’s tense play-off victory against England’s Justin Rose was a quintessential McIlroy Masters moment – a rollercoaster of emotions that once again threatened to derail his quest for a career Grand Slam.
Securing the Green Jacket, at long last, provided the 36-year-old McIlroy with a palpable sense of liberation.
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‘Such a bad mistake’ – McIlroy double bogeys the eleventh
Throughout his first two rounds this week, he exhibited a heightened sense of mental freedom, a predicted outcome of finally reaching his golfing Everest by conquering Augusta National.
The five-time major champion displayed patience in seizing control of the leaderboard, even when his performance didn’t quite align with the scoreboard’s reflection.
McIlroy’s ability to recover from errant drives proved crucial, as he maintained composure in high-pressure situations, playing prudently when necessary and capitalizing on opportunities when they arose.
On Saturday, however, his swing faltered, and his short game couldn’t consistently provide the necessary rescue.
“I’ll head to the range to sort things out. I still have a great opportunity, but I’ll need to perform better if I want to win,” McIlroy acknowledged.
McIlroy hit eight of 14 fairways in the third round, matching his performance on Friday when he carded a 65. On Thursday, he only managed to hit five fairways en route to a 67.
Among those who made the cut, he ranks last in driving accuracy, and coupled with a less effective short game during round three, it’s clear how Augusta chipped away at his lead.
Many players took advantage of Saturday’s conditions, with watered greens promoting favorable scoring.
However, McIlroy was one of only three players within the top 28 who failed to finish under par, joining England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan.
“It’s rare to witness a player decisively close out a major as Tiger Woods often did,” noted BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter, referencing the five-time Masters champion and 15-time major winner.
“If he sensed an opportunity, he’d be pragmatic and ensure no one could challenge him.
“McIlroy doesn’t possess that trait. Woods was a golfing superhuman, while McIlroy is merely a human golfer.”
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Watch: ‘I didn’t quite have it today’ – Rory McIlroy’s assessment of round three
As McIlroy battled to maintain his lead in the closing holes, his sudden appearance of exhaustion was striking.
His energy seemed diminished, and his pace slowed.
Could this be attributed to the physical demands of Augusta’s undulating terrain, or is a mental fatigue beginning to take its toll?
McIlroy arrived over a week ago with a series of engagements to fulfill.
Participating in traditions such as hosting Tuesday’s Champions’ Dinner creates memorable experiences that no golfer would relinquish.
However, with heightened media attention and increased obligations, the week carries a different weight that could eventually impact him.
McIlroy clearly didn’t believe he needed to immediately relax after his third round, as he planned to practice further.
“He looks absolutely exhausted,” was the candid assessment of Trish Johnson, a former Europe Solheim Cup player and current BBC Radio 5 Live summarizer at Augusta.
“But he still needs to hit balls because you can’t go to sleep; you’ll be awake all night trying to figure it out.
“He has to find some feeling so he can feel confident in his approach.”
Masters tee times for round four at Augusta
‘We’ll see what everyone is made of’ -Masters contenders on final-round showdown
Given the forecast of warm, dry weather throughout the week at Augusta National, expectations were for firm, fast greens to make scoring difficult – McIlroy himself suggested the winning score would not reach double digits under par.
There was also a widespread belief that course officials would welcome such a challenge.
However, their decision to water the greens each morning has gradually eased scoring conditions throughout the week.
This decision has proven unpopular with purists, who have accused the Masters of compromising its traditional rigor.
Nevertheless, the increased scoring opportunities have undeniably created an exciting spectacle as the field closes in on McIlroy.
World number one Scottie Scheffler was the first to capitalize, threatening to challenge the course record of 63 – jointly held by Nick Price (1986) and Greg Norman (1996) – with a blistering front nine.
Eventual co-leader Young also concerned Price and Norman by reaching seven under after 14 holes.
The 28-year-old American’s progress was halted by a bogey on 15 – which could have been worse had he not pitched close with his fourth after finding the water – but he rebounded with a birdie on 16 to match Scheffler’s 65, the joint-lowest rounds of the day.
A host of players will feel they are in contention to potentially steal the Green Jacket on Sunday.
Young, currently ranked third in the world, will tee off alongside McIlroy at 19:25 BST as he seeks his first major title.
He won the PGA Tour’s prestigious Players Championship last month and hopes to emulate McIlroy and Scheffler, who completed the double in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Sam Burns, another American, is one shot behind the leaders, while McIlroy’s close friend Shane Lowry is fourth at nine under after a four-under 68.
The Irishman’s round featured a hole-in-one on the sixth, making him the first player to record two aces at the Masters, having previously holed his tee shot on the 16th in 2016.
England’s Justin Rose and Australia’s Jason Day are at eight under, with Scheffler and Li Haotong lurking at seven under.
Before McIlroy’s struggles, three-time champion Nick Faldo believed his rivals would have been pleased to be within three shots heading into the final day.
“We’ve seen players surge ahead and others collapse,” Faldo, who famously overcame Greg Norman’s six-shot lead after 54 holes in 1996, commented on Sky Sports.
“Nowhere on this course is truly safe.
“You could have a comfortable four-shot lead walking down 15, then put it in the water, and everything changes. Nothing is certain until you’re on the 18th tee with a four-shot lead.”
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Young moves into joint lead after super third round at Augusta
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