Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy sees record lead evaporate, Cameron Young goes low

AFP

11 Apr, 2026 11:11 PMQuick Read

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 17th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Photo / AFP

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Defending champion Rory McIlroy and third-ranked Cameron Young shared the lead after today’s wild third round of the Masters.

Young, last month’s Players Championship winner, fired a seven-under-par 65 to finish 54 holes on 11-under-par 205.

McIlroy, who began the day with a six-stroke edge, scrambled and struggled to a
73 to match Young at the top with Sam Burns third on 10-under 206 – setting up a shootout for the green jacket on Sunday.

World number three Young and second-ranked McIlroy each plunked a key shot in the water on the back nine in their duel.

Irishman Shane Lowry aced the 173m par-three sixth hole with a 7-iron on his way to a 68 that left him in fourth on 207, one stroke ahead of Australian Jason Day and England’s Justin Rose.