Ask Onix
McIlroy's six-shot lead vanishes in dramatic third round
Rory McIlroy's commanding halfway advantage at the Masters evaporated Saturday as a one-over 73 left him sharing the lead at 11 under with American Cameron Young. A dozen players now sit within six strokes of the top as Sunday's final round looms.
Leaderboard shuffle
Young and McIlroy will tee off together in the final pairing at 19:25 BST after both finished on 11 under. Sam Burns sits one stroke back at 10 under, while Ireland's Shane Lowry occupies fourth place at nine under following a four-under 68 that included an ace at the sixth hole.
Justin Rose (England) and Jason Day (Australia) share fifth at eight under, with Scottie Scheffler and Li Haotong a further stroke behind. Scheffler's 65 matched Young's round as the low scores of the day.
McIlroy's struggles
The Northern Irishman's accuracy off the tee continued to plague him Saturday, finding just eight of 14 fairways-the same total as his Friday 65. After hitting only five fairways Thursday, McIlroy now ranks last in driving accuracy among players who made the cut.
"I will go to the range and figure it out," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "I still have a great chance, but if I'm going to win I'll have to play better." His short game, typically a strength, failed to compensate for errant drives as it had during the first two rounds.
Fatigue concerns
Observers noted McIlroy's visibly exhausted demeanor during Saturday's round. Former Solheim Cup player Trish Johnson remarked on BBC Radio 5 Live: "He looks absolutely knackered."
McIlroy's packed schedule this week-including hosting Tuesday's Champions Dinner and increased media commitments-may be taking its toll. The 36-year-old acknowledged the mental demands but insisted he would practice after his round rather than rest.
Course conditions spark debate
Masters officials faced criticism from traditionalists after watering greens each morning, creating softer conditions that enabled lower scores. What began as a firm, fast setup yielded to easier scoring as the week progressed.
"The purists aren't happy," noted BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter. "But it's made for an entertaining chase."
"It's so rare to see a player shut the door on a major the way Tiger Woods did. If he had a sniff he'd be so pragmatic and make sure nobody could get near him. McIlroy doesn't have that in his locker."
Iain Carter, BBC golf correspondent
Contenders circle
Young, the world number three, arrives at Sunday's finale fresh off last month's Players Championship victory. His 65 included a bogey at 15 after finding water, but he rebounded with a birdie at 16 to join Scheffler atop the day's low rounds.
Three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo, speaking to Sky Sports, cautioned that no lead is safe at Augusta: "There is nothing set in stone until you're on that 18th tee with probably a four-shot lead."
With dry, warm weather forecast for Sunday, scoring conditions may remain favorable for the chasing pack. McIlroy, vying to become only the fourth player to win back-to-back Green Jackets, faces a crowded leaderboard in what promises to be a volatile final round.
