AUGUSTA, GA – Rory McIlroy didn’t lose this tournament on moving day.
Whatever else you might say about the defending champion’s third round at the Masters — and, there’s plenty to say — he didn’t go full Greg Norman. Or, let’s give the Shark a break and put it a different way: McIlroy didn’t go full Rory 2011 mode. That year, he carded an 80 on Sunday to go from first to 15th.
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So, perspective is necessary here, folks.
McIlroy’s 1-over 73 in Round 3 wasn’t a meltdown. It sure wasn’t a clincher, either.
This 73 became an invitation for a white-knuckle Sunday, when it otherwise could’ve been a victory lap if McIlroy had gone low and put this thing away.
Call this round a wobble, and a dangerous one, especially when paired with Cameron Young’s 7-under 65 birdie-storm, Scottie Scheffler’s how-do-you-do 65, and Sam Burns’ don’t-forget-about-me 68.
“I still have a great chance,” McIlroy said after a round with four birdies, three bogeys and his first and only double bogey of the tournament. “I’m in the final group.”
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McIlroy will either need to straighten out his driver and hone in his irons, or revive his hot putter. His putt total went from 24 on Friday to 30 on Saturday.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
The weekend arrives with the leaderboard tightening and pressure rising at Augusta National.
These images follow Rory McIlroy as he begins Saturday in the hunt at the Masters.
Above, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 14th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
The weekend arrives with the leaderboard tightening and pressure rising at Augusta National.
These images follow Rory McIlroy as he begins Saturday in the hunt at the Masters.
Above, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 14th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 11th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy walks up the first fairway during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy misses a putt on the first green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 11th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the seventh green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the second hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the practice green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot at the tournament practice area during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy chips onto the fourth green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the first hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy walk down the first fairway during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the practice green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the third green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks at his ball on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the seventh hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the eighth tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 11th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot from a bunker on the seventh hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Sam Burns of the United States walk the eighth fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland moves an obstruction out of the way on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the rules official on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland asks patrons to move on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 15th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 15th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Patrons watch as Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the 16th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the 12th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 12th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 13th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the 12th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his caddie Harry Diamond walks over the Hogan Bridge to the 12th hole green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 14th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy still just one round away from Masters legend status
This tournament can go one of two ways. If McIlroy cards another round like his roller-coaster moving day, we’ll remember this as another Masters disaster for Rors. Call it the final leg of the trilogy that started in 2011 and renewed in 2018.
If he pulls this out, though, nobody’s going to leave Sunday talking about McIlroy’s shot that bounced into the water on No. 11, or his six drives that missed the fairway in Round 3, or his shot that missed the green on No. 12, the shortest par-3.
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If he wins this tournament, his legacy will be elevated. He’s already got a spot in the champions parking lot here. If he wins a second time at Augusta, he becomes a Masters legend. He’d be only the fourth player to go back-to-back.
They already love him here. Truly, they do. Now, they’re aching to exalt him. Young knows it.
Young is the American in hot pursuit of his first major championship. McIlroy’s the North Irishman within reach of his sixth major, but this isn’t the Ryder Cup, and the galleries adore Rors at Augusta National, just as he loves every blade of grass on this more than 7,500-yard track, especially when he’s posting scores as he did through two rounds.
“I don’t get the sense I’ll be the fan favorite,” Young admitted after carding 65, “but, yeah, I feel like the support, some fans that cheer for me have gotten louder over the last year. It will still be lopsided, I think. Rory’s kind of a world favorite in the golf world.”
Rory runaway turns into Sunday brawl at Augusta
It’s not as simple as McIlroy wins it or McIlroy blows it, because Young might just steal it. If he puts another 65 on the board, he’s almost certainly going to win this.
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“There’s a lot of guys in with a chance,” McIlroy said.
That’s the brass tacks, the upshot of Round 3.
At the tournament’s midpoint, it was a Rory runaway. Now, it’s a brawl.
Can a 6-foot-3 world No. 1 hide as a snake in the grass? Probably not, but here’s Scottie Scheffler hovering four shots off the lead. In fact, the top of the leaderboard is a who’s who of golf, with known names like Shane Lowry, Jason Day and Justin Rose right in the thick of it.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler moves up the leaderboard during a strong moving day at the Masters Tournament.
These images follow Scheffler through the third round at Augusta National.
Above, Scottie Scheffler of the United States prepares to putt on the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler moves up the leaderboard during a strong moving day at the Masters Tournament.
These images follow Scheffler through the third round at Augusta National.
Above, Scottie Scheffler of the United States prepares to putt on the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays a shot on the first hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States looks on from the 15th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler lines up a putt on the 16th green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays a shot on the fourth hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States walks to the 18th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States walks the 11th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States putts on the 17th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States hands the flag to his caddie Ted Scott on the 18th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States and his caddie Ted Scott walk on the 17th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays a shot on the first hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States reacts on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States walks the first fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States hands a club to his caddie Ted Scott on the fourth hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler hits out of a bunker onto the 13th green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States lines up a putt on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States pulls a club from his bag on the first hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler reacts on the 16th green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler putts on the 15th green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler reacts after a putt on the 17th green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States reacts on the 16th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States and Ludvig Aberg of Sweden walk the 16th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler walks the third green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States walks the fourth fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
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Track Scottie Scheffler’s climb up the Masters leaderboard on Day 3
Scottie Scheffler of the United States looks on from the first hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.
Eight players will enter the final round within four shots of the lead, after a moving day that started with McIlroy six shots clear of the rest of the field.
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McIlroy could’ve lost this tournament. He was on the brink of a collapse after Amen Corner exacted its pound of flesh, but then he put two more birdies on the card.
When McIlroy finished with a post-round interview, he headed to the driving range in need of a tune-up.
Probably a smart move, after a shaky round, but another pitstop might’ve benefited McIlroy even more.
Inside the clubhouse’s Champions Locker Room, there’s a stall with McIlroy’s name on it.
Yes, he can blow this. He’s done that before.
Or, he can win this tournament. He’s done that before, too.
“I’ve already got a green jacket,” McIlroy said. “Sometimes, I’ve just got to remind myself of that.”
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He’s a Masters champion. On Sunday, he must play like one.
Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rory McIlroy’s Masters missteps set up Sunday brawl
