McIlroy’s 6-shot Masters lead evaporates after a wild 73, setting up a Sunday showdown at Augusta
Rory McIlroy never seems to make anything easy at the Masters. In other words, that record 36-hole lead of six that McIlroy carried into the third round Saturday? McIlroy's roller coaster round included three bogeys, four birdies and a double-bogey for a 73, which dropped him to 11 under for the tournament.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy never seems to make anything easy at the Masters. Year after year, for more than a decade, the Northern Irishman threw away chances at completing the career grand slam.
And when he finally accomplished the feat last year, McIlroy did it only after recovering from a ball put in the water on the back nine and a bogey at the 18th hole in regulation, and beating Justin Rose in a playoff for the green jacket. In other words, that record 36-hole lead of six that McIlroy carried into the third round Saturday? It meant nothing.
And nothing is exactly what it was shortly after he made the turn. McIlroy's roller coaster round included three bogeys, four birdies and a double-bogey for a 73, which dropped him to 11 under for the tournament. More importantly, hot rounds by just about everyone else on the leaderboard put the pressure on, and Cameron Young's third-round 65 put him at 11 under as well, leaving McIlroy paired with him for the final round on Sunday.
“You know, there’s a lot of guys in with a chance tomorrow,” McIlory said. “I’m still tied for the best score going into tomorrow, so I can’t forget that, but I do know I’m going to have to be better if I want to have a chance to win. ” Indeed, McIlroy and Young will have to worry about a lot more than just each other.