Masters: Lead Shrinks

Rory McIlroy takes a six-shot Masters lead into Sunday no longer alone, after a 1-over 73 left him tied with Cameron Young at 11-under. (pgatour.com) McIlroy began Saturday with the largest 36-hole lead in Masters history, but the margin was gone by the back nine after a double bogey at the 11th and a bogey at the 12th at Augusta National. Young started eight shots back and shot 65, with eight birdies and one bogey, to catch him. (pgatour.com) The third round ended with Young and McIlroy at 205, Sam Burns one shot back at 206, Shane Lowry at 207, and Scottie Scheffler four back after a 65 of his own. ESPN’s leaderboard showed nine players within five shots when play ended Saturday night, turning a runaway into a packed final round. (espn.com) Sunday’s setup is simple: Young and McIlroy are in the final pairing at 2:25 p.m. Eastern, and McIlroy is trying to become only the fourth player to win the Masters in consecutive years. Young is chasing his first major championship after winning The Players Championship in March 2026. (pgatour.com) (nbcsports.com) The swing on Saturday also changed the way the tournament is being watched. Instead of a coronation for the defending champion, the coverage shifted to a two-man duel, with highlight packages isolating McIlroy’s mistakes at Amen Corner and Young’s charge on the second nine. (nytimes.com) (youtube.com 1) (youtube.com 2) Young’s surge did not come from nowhere. The PGA Tour said he had top-10 finishes at Augusta National in 2023 and 2024, and his 65 matched the low round of the week through 54 holes. (pgatour.com) McIlroy said afterward, “Didn’t quite have it today,” then headed to the range, while Scheffler said, “I don't feel like I'm out of the tournament.” Sunday now starts with the leaders level, the field compressed, and no margin left. (pgatour.com)