AUGUSTA, GA. After two rounds of the 90th Masters the coronation was in motion for Rory McIlroy.

Scoring rounds of 67-65, the Northern Irishman had opened up what appeared to be a commanding six shot lead — the largest margin after 36 holes by any frontrunner in the history of the event.

The pathway for Rory looked to be firmly set with him becoming just the fourth golfer to have successfully defended his title at Augusta.

Case in point — the manner by which the 36-year-old concluded Friday’s second was simply stellar – six birdies over the last seven holes.

Even with all the predictions of a McIlroy victory, the tournament still had two rounds to play and in golf, like the stock market, past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

McIlroy opened his third round with a bogey at the always challenging opening hole but then bounced back with birdies at the 3rd and 10th holes, respectively.. Entering the pivotal trio of holes comprising Amen Corner McIlroy found the adjacent pond next to the green at the 11th with his approach shot. He finished the hole with his first double-bogey in the tournament.

He compounded that mistake with a bogey at the equally challenging short par-3 12th after missing the green with his approach.

McIlroy successfully bounded back with consecutive birdies at 14 and 15 but an errant drive caused him to bogey the penultimate hole before making par at 18. The 73 he scored places him at eleven-under-par for the tournament and now tied with Cameron Young at 205. No less than 11 players are within five shots of the lead. American Sam Burns is in third at 206 and one shot behind him is Irishman Shane Lowry at 207.

On a Saturday when the scoring average was 70.63 — a Masters record for the third round besting the previous lows of 70.769 in 2019 and 70.979 in 1986, it had Rory limp home with a one-over-par 73.

The average score has decreased each round, from 74.65 to 72.85 to 70.63. The previous low for a third round was 70.77 in 2019.

Saturday is referred to as “moving day” and a number of players were up to the task in shooting lower number and seizing an opportunity to move up the leaderboard as McIlroy stumbled. None more so than Young. His ascendancy on the world golf stage was noticeable during last Fall’s Ryder Cup matches at Bethpage when selected as a captain’s pick. The 28-year-old has continued in fine form this year after capturing the prestigious Players Championship just a few weeks ago.

Related: Scheffler shows up — finally

Trails by just four with Sunday ahead.

Young opened with a 40 on the outward nine Thursday but gamely fought back to score a 73. His second-round play improved six strokes with a 67 and then went two shots lower with a 65 — tying the low round of the day with another notable player — Scottie Scheffler who played his best round in 2026 given the circumstances and did so without a single blemish on the scorecard.

Young started Saturday’s third round eight shots behind McIlroy. That gap is now completely gone. Scheffler was 12 shots back prior to the third round. He is now just four shots off the lead. One needs to remember that is the same number of shots he trailed going into the final round of 2024 golf competition at the Paris Summer Olympics before emerging with the gold medal draped around his neck.

Sunday’s final round for McIlroy will be a clear indicator if Rory’s story regresses back to the numerous instances in which his play failed to close out a major event after placing himself at or near the top of the leaderboard.

His win at Augusta in 2025 ended a decade plus major-less streak. The McIlroy who started the 2026 Masters event with superlative play for two rounds, will now be judged by how he handles the cauldron of pressure that is always a part of any Masters Sunday.

The stakes could not be any higher. A McIlroy win cements his progression up the legacy ladder. A win gives him six majors — placing him alongside the likes of Lee Trevino, Phil Mickelson and Nick Faldo. Very notable company. It also sends a clear signal to Scheffler that his reign as the top ranked player in the world is now in jeopardy in being overtaken.

But should Rory leave Augusta without a second green jacket, the naysayers will again critique him for his failure. McIlroy’s mission is navigating through the emotional roller-coaster that any concluding round at a Masters forces players to overcome.

A bevy of contenders is ready to do battle. Only one person gets the green jacket – the other are all hoping to avoid the figurative straight jacket that any nerve-producing concluding 18 holes sets forward.

Get your popcorn ready and fasten your seat belt.

The ride ahead promises to be bumpy one for all.

***

Notes

• American Cameron Young has had two top-10s and two missed cuts in four appearances at the Masters Tournament (MC/2025, T9/2024, T7/2023, MC/2022). He has notched top-5 finishes in each major championship outside of the Masters Tournament (2nd/22 Open Championship, T3/2022 PGA Championship, T4/2025 US Open).

• In 18 Masters appearances, Northern Ireland’s McIlroy has carded at least one over-par round in all but one Masters Tournament (2015/71-71-68-66). His best finish in four starts this season: T2/The Genesis Invitational.

• Ireland’s Shane Lowry (4th/-9) aced the 190-yard 6th hole for his second hole-in-one this season (No.2/R4/Texas Children’s Houston Open).
Becomes the first player with multiple holes-in-one in their Masters career (No. 16/2016); with rounds of 70-69-68, marks his first time in 11 appearances starting the Masters with three consecutive under-par rounds.

• Past Masters champions through 54 holes: Rory McIlroy (T1/-11), Scottie Scheffler (T7/-7),Patrick Reed (T9/-6), Hideki Matsuyama (T29/-2), Jordan Spieth (T33/-1), Adam Scott (T36/E), Dustin Johnson (T44/+3), Jon Rahm (T48/+5), Sergio Garcia (T48/+5), Charl Schwartzel (54th/+9).

***

Related: The most memorable Masters moments – Pt.1

The exhilarating highs and depressing lows from Augusta.

For the latest news in the golfing world, follow us on X.