“Have to Be Better,” Rory McIlroy Loses 6-Shot Lead Following Hectic Moving Day at Masters Tournament

Rory McIlroy lost his massive 6-shot lead as the chasers moved up on Round 3 to set up a mouth-watering finale on Sunday.

“Have to Be Better,” Rory McIlroy Loses 6-Shot Lead Following Hectic Moving Day at Masters Tournament

Rory McIlroy (Image via X/@UnderdogGolf)

What could have been a cakewalk to the title has turned into a chaotic battle. On Saturday, Rory McIlroy‘s historic 6-shot lead disappeared in thin air as the chasing pack took charge on the moving day to set up a grandstand finish.

McIlroy, the defending champion, entered this tournament hoping to do something that has only been done thrice in Masters Tournament history. A victory this Sunday would see him become the 4th golfer after Jack Nicklaus (1965, 1966), Sir Nick Faldo (1989, 1990) and Tiger Woods (2001, 2002) to claim back-to-back wins in this event.

Well, that could still happen. However, he will need an improved performance on Sunday. The golfer knows that too.

There’s a long way to go. … I’m still tied for the best score going into tomorrow, so I can’t forget that. But I do know that I’m going to have to be better if I want a chance to win.

Rory McIlroy told the reporters

The World No.2 started the defense of his title with a score of 67 in the first round. On Friday, he took charge and carded 9 birdies to finish the round with a 7-under 65 score. This saw him end the day sitting on top of the standings with a 6-shot lead.

This is the largest 36-hole lead in Masters Tournament history. The previous largest lead after two rounds was 5-shots, which had been done 6 times in the past. In 2022, Scottie Scheffler turned a 5-shot lead after two rounds into victory, finishing 3 shots ahead of McIlroy.

For McIlroy, the Augusta National Golf Club has never been an easy place. While he did win last year, he had to pour everything he had to get over the line and claim his maiden green jacket and complete the career grand slam.

In the third round on Saturday, McIlroy started with a bogey on the first hole. A birdie on the third saw him wrap up the front nine with an even par score. A birdie on the 10th hole took him 1-under par for the day.

It was the 11th hole where things started to slip a bit. A double bogey on this hole was followed by another bogey on the 12th. Though he fired back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th holes, a bogey on the 17th hole saw him end the day with a score of 1-over 73.

Meanwhile, the chasing pack hit the gas pedal on the moving day. American international Cameron Young fired a 7-under 65 score and overcame an 8-shot deficit to tie McIlroy at the top. The two of them will be the final pairing for Sunday.

Scheffler also fired a score of 65 on Saturday. With 1 eagle and 5 birdies, the 2-time Masters winner surged up and finished the day T7 at 7-under par, 4 shots behind McIlroy and Young.

Sam Burns, who was the co-leader with McIlroy after the first round, shot 68 to remain 1 shot behind the leaders. Shane Lowry (9-under), Justin Rose (8-under), Jason Day (8-under) and Haotong Li (7-under) all remain in contention for the green jacket on Sunday.

Rory McIlroy claims he will be playing a little “freer” on Sunday despite losing historic lead

After his score of 65 on Friday, it seemed Rory McIlroy would run away with the title this year. However, his 6-shot lead disappeared on Saturday as the chasing pack got hot. Despite this, the golfer expressed that he will be playing a little “freer” on Sunday.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via X/@GOLF_com)

Over the years, there had been a massive burden on his shoulders. Until the 2025 event, the former World No.1 had suffered several heartbreaks in this event in his quest to land the green jacket and become a grand slam champion.

It all changed last year when he finally got the job done. A playoff victory over Justin Rose last year sealed his name in the history books.

In his aim to now go back-to-back, he has suffered a slight bump. He has, however, remained confident about his abilities and expressed that he will be playing the final round with a free state of mind.

I’d like to think that I’ll play a little bit freer and I’ll play, like I’ve already got a green jacket, which I do. Sometimes I maybe just have to remind myself of that.

Rory McIlroy told the reporters

For the final round, he and Cameron Young will tee up at 2:25 p.m. (Eastern Time). Only time will tell who eventually comes out on top this Sunday and takes home the first major of the 2026 season.

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