Masters: Tie for the Lead

Rory McIlroy’s six-shot Masters cushion is gone, and he starts Sunday tied with Cameron Young at 11-under at Augusta National. (golfchannel.com) McIlroy shot a one-over 73 in Saturday’s third round after taking what Sky Sports called the largest 36-hole lead in tournament history into the weekend. Young erased an eight-shot gap over the course of the day to pull level. (skysports.com) Sam Burns begins the final round alone in third at 10-under, one shot back of the co-leaders. Sky Sports’ live leaderboard also listed Shane Lowry at 9-under, with Jason Day and Justin Rose at 8-under and Scottie Scheffler at 7-under. (golfchannel.com) (skysports.com) The swing came in the middle of McIlroy’s round, when Augusta National’s Amen Corner turned a procession into a chase. Golf Channel reported that holes 11 through 13 were costly for McIlroy, who failed to birdie the par-5 13th after missing the fairway. (golfchannel.com) That reset the tournament around two different stakes. McIlroy is trying to defend the Masters title he won in 2025, while Young is chasing his first major championship after already winning The Players Championship this season. (skysports.com 1) (skysports.com 2) McIlroy’s position had looked far more secure 24 hours earlier. Sky Sports reported that his second-round 65 built a six-shot halfway lead, a margin it described as unprecedented at the Masters through 36 holes. (skysports.com) Young’s charge changed the feel of the final round as much as the numbers. Golf Channel said he did “the improbable” by catching McIlroy on Saturday, and Sky Sports said the collapse of the lead left several contenders within range. (golfchannel.com) (skysports.com) Sunday now starts with 18 holes instead of a coronation. McIlroy and Young share the lead, Burns is one back, and Augusta’s final round has turned into a straight fight again. (golfchannel.com)