McIlroy–Young final pairing

Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young will tee off together Sunday in the final group at Augusta National after finishing 54 holes tied at 11-under par. (cbssports.com) They are scheduled to go out at about 2:30 p.m. Eastern on April 12, the last pairing in the 2026 Masters field. Sunday’s television window on CBS runs from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., with earlier streaming coverage beginning at noon on Paramount+ and Masters platforms. (golf.com) The tie looked unlikely a few hours earlier. McIlroy began Saturday with an Augusta National-record six-shot lead after 36 holes, then shot a 1-over 73 while Young charged from eight shots back with a 7-under 65. (pgatour.com) Young made eight birdies and one bogey in that round, and ESPN reported he became the first player to hold at least a share of the 54-hole Masters lead after starting the day eight behind. McIlroy, by contrast, had hit 21 of 42 fairways through three rounds, last among the 54 players who made the cut. (espn.com) The pairing puts the defending champion next to a player still chasing his first major title. McIlroy won the 2025 Masters in a playoff over Justin Rose, completing the career Grand Slam and becoming the sixth man to win all four professional majors. (pgatour.com) Young arrives with recent proof he can close a big event. The PGA Tour said he won The Players Championship in March 2026 for his second Tour title, and now has a chance to pair that with a Masters win one month later. (pgatour.com) The final group is not the only story on the course. Sam Burns starts one shot back at 10-under, Shane Lowry is two back at 9-under, and Jason Day and Justin Rose are three back at 8-under. (espn.com) Scottie Scheffler also forced his way back into the picture with a 65 on Saturday, leaving the two-time Masters champion four shots off the lead at 7-under. CBS Sports said nine players finished Saturday within six shots of first place. (cbssports.com) For McIlroy, Sunday is a chance to become the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters titles, joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods. For Young, it is 18 holes with the tournament’s biggest stage and the green jacket beside him on the tee. (cbssports.com)