4 Rory McIlroy epic collapses at majors including the Masters

4 Rory McIlroy epic collapses at majors including the Masters

Let's start off with the obvious here: Rory McIlroy is an all-time great in golf, a legend who has accomplished what only five others have: The career grand slam.

But the man with five wins at majors under his belt also has a history of collapses in big moments. And as we're writing this, it's possible that another could be added to the list. McIlroy had a six-shot lead heading into the third round at the 2026 Masters and squandered it in a rough Saturday.

We'll add it to the list below with a question mark, because by the time you read this, it's possible that he regains his footing and joins another list: Back-to-back Masters winners.

Here's a lowlight reel of epic McIlroy collapses:

2011 Masters

This one was agonizing. He entered Sunday at Augusta up four strokes and had a one-stroke lead with the back nine ahead. Then? A triple-bogey on 10 started a downward spiral that ended with him carding an 80 and finishing T15.

2022 British Open

He came into Sunday with a share of the lead at the 150th Open Championship and was up two strokes at the turn. Then? He couldn't close and finished third.

2024 U.S. Open

He was right there at Pinehurst with a bunch of missed short putts that left him with bogeys late after entering the final four holes with a one-stroke lead. Bryson DeChambeau took the title instead.

2026 Masters?

Blowing a six-shot lead could mean this performance ends up on this list permanently.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Rory McIlroy history of collapses at majors including the Masters