Rory McIlroy says he will “need to be better” to have a chance of retaining his Masters title on the final day after giving up a six-shot lead during the penultimate round.
After starting with rounds of 67 and 65, McIlroy held a record lead at the halfway stage of the tournament, but a one-over par 73 on Saturday saw him finish level with Players champion Cameron Young on 11 under.
McIlroy struggled for accuracy with his irons, finding just 10 of the 18 greens in regulation, three less than he had managed on each of the first two days. He made three bogeys, along with a double bogey at the 11th after finding the water.
Speaking to Sky Sports Golf immediately after his round, McIlroy said: “I knew today wasn’t going to be easy. The quality of the chasing pack was very obvious, and a lot of the guys went out and played superb golf, starting with Scottie (Scheffler), and then Cam, and everyone else.
“I didn’t quite have it today. Even from the first hole, making that sort of soft bogey. I was doing my best to hang on. I scrambled a lot on the front nine.
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Rory McIlroy reflects on a disappointing third day at The Masters, which saw him lose his six-shot lead ahead of final round.
“I felt like I turned it around with the birdie on 10, and then, I didn’t hit a good drive but I got lucky back out onto the fairway at 11. I felt like I hit a good second shot, but it just started to ride the wind a little bit.
“I bounced back well with birdies on 14 and 15. Disappointed to make a bogey in the last couple of holes.”
While his lacklustre display has allowed a group of marquee names into contention, McIlroy insisted that he retains a great chance of retaining the title he won 12 months ago to complete a career Grand Slam.
McIlroy added: “I would have wanted to be in a better position going into tomorrow starting with a six-shot lead, but I still have a great chance.
“I’m in the final group, which is exactly where you want to be. I wish I had a little bit more of a cushion, but I’m going to go to the range here and try to figure it out. I’ll need to be better tomorrow.
“It’s amazing (to have the opportunity). That was the goal coming in here. I still have a great chance but if I’m going to win tomorrow, I’m going to have to be a little bit better than I was today.”
‘It should be easier than last year’
McIlroy’s victory last year came after an 11-year major drought for the Northern Irishman, with his attempt to complete a career Grand Slam having become one of the biggest stories in the sport over the decade he had spent trying and failing to achieve it.
There was further spice added on Sunday last year by the fact he was paired with rival Bryson DeChambeau, who had snatched victory away from him at the 2024 US Open.
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Rory McIlroy and some of golf’s most familiar faces reflect on the moment where he achieved his lifelong dream of winning The Masters to complete the career Grand Slam.
McIlroy thinks the combination of having won last year and playing in a different type of final playing group will aid his chances.
“I’d like to think that I’ll play a little bit freer and I’ll play like I’ve already got a green jacket, which I do,” McIlroy said. “Sometimes I maybe just have to remind myself of that.
“But I think as well that the stakes in terms of, like, the pairing will be just a little bit easier. The atmosphere out there will be a little bit easier.
“I’m not worried about that at all. I wish I was a few shots better off, but I’m comfortable. I played with Cam the first two days. Playing with him again tomorrow. I think it’s a comfortable group for both of us.”
Beem: ‘Great mindset’ can aid McIlroy on Sunday
Sky Sports Golf’s Rich Beem believes McIlroy’s resilience will enable the 36-year-old to put the disappointment of losing his lead on Saturday out of his mind before Sunday’s finale.
Beem said: “Even though he won the Masters last year to complete the career Grand Slam, nothing has just changed about his desire to win the tournaments that mean the most to him, and this is obviously one of them.
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Rory McIlroy posted a stunning seven-under-par 65 at Augusta National to hold a record 36-hole lead at The Masters!
“He has been on his back so many times, he’s been on the canvas and you’re wondering how he’s going to bounce back from it.
“It’s like he just pops back up like nothing ever happened. He’s got such a great mindset to just forget, forget exactly what happened the day before, or even two or three holes ago.
“He’s not afraid to fail. He’s failed a lot in his career. He’s hit some horrible shots.
“But, you know what, he comes back time and time again, and that’s why he’s our defending Masters champion, that’s why he’s got the career Grand Slam, because he’s not afraid to fail and et back up and succeed.”
How can I watch the final day of The Masters?
Live coverage of the final round begins at 4.30pm on Sunday on Sky Sports Golf, ahead of full coverage getting under way at 5pm and running until long after the final putt has been holed.
The notorious Amen Corner stream will also be available, focusing on the famous three-hole stretch from the 11th, with that Featured Group offering available on the Sky Sports+ channel.
A feed of the fourth, fifth and sixth holes will go live each day as soon as the opening group reach that part of the course and another stream covers the 15th and 16th holes, with Featured Groups also available on Sky Sports+.
Can McIlroy close out victory at The Masters? Watch the final round live on Sunday from 4.30pm on Sky Sports Golf, with extra coverage on Sky Sports+. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.
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