Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young are tied for the Masters lead at 11 under as they enter the final round at Augusta National. McIlroy, who previously held a six-shot lead, shot a 73 on Saturday, allowing Young to catch up with a 65.
Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young teed off in the final round of the Masters on a hot, sunny day at Augusta National, where some very accessible hole locations were producing low scores early and could mean a Sunday of high drama.
McIlroy blew a record 36-hole lead of six shots on Saturday with a round of 73, which allowed Young to pull into a tie with him at 11 under following his 65 — tied for the low round of the tournament. They began Sunday with a one-shot lead over Sam Burns, though two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and a host of other big names were ready to give chase.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Justin Rose of England lines up a putt on the second green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Justin Rose of England lines up a putt on the second green during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Jason Day of Australia plays his shot from the fourth tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Jason Day of Australia plays his shot from the fourth tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Cameron Young of the United States follows his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Cameron Young of the United States follows his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Scheffler began the day at 7 under and promptly birdied the difficult par-4 opening hole to start his round in style, while Burns also birdied the first hole, sending him into a tie with McIlroy and Young atop the leaderboard.
The hole locations were generous for the final round, which was producing some low scores early in the day.
Keegan Bradley and Gary Woodland took advantage of the hole locations and ideal conditions earlier in the day, each posting rounds of 6-under 66, while Viktor Hovland shot 67 despite putting a ball in the water and double-bogeying the par-5 15th.
The scoring average on Thursday was very high, making some wonder whether Augusta National would get even tougher as it dried out and sped up. Instead, the club appeared to make the course easier — or at least, no harder — and the scores have reflected it; the average score of 70.63 on Saturday was the lowest in Masters history in a third round.
McIlroy spent some time at the practice range after his round Saturday night, hoping to find confidence in his driver. He ranks last in driving accuracy among those who made the cut, though McIlroy was able to scramble enough to stay atop the leaderboard.
While he’s trying to become the fourth player to win twice in a row and the first since Tiger Woods, Young is trying to capture his first major championship, and follow in the footsteps of fellow Wake Forest alum Arnold Palmer, a four-time Masters champion.
McIlroy is No. 2 in the world ranking, one spot ahead of Young, who won The Players Championship in March. The last time two of the top three players in the ranking were in the final group at the Masters was 2001, when Woods was No. 1 and Phil Mickelson was No. 2. Woods ended up winning by two strokes over David Duval.
“The whole field is not going to help you out, put it that way,” said Justin Rose, who lost to McIlroy in a playoff last year, and began the day in the mix again at 8 under. “It’s going to take a special round tomorrow, so there’s a chance, which is great. I’m going to try to channel a bit of last year and see what happens.”
\\\_
AP golf:
**[DOWNLOAD:** **Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks****]**
**[SIGN UP:** **WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter****]**
Q&A
What is the current score of Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young at the Masters?
Both Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young are tied at 11 under par as they begin the final round of the Masters.
How did Rory McIlroy lose his six-shot lead in the Masters?
Rory McIlroy shot a 73 in the third round, which allowed Cameron Young to tie him for the lead after Young posted a 65.
Who are the other contenders in the final round of the Masters?
Sam Burns is one shot behind McIlroy and Young, while Scottie Scheffler and other top players are also in contention.
What historical significance does this Masters final round have?
This is the first time since 2001 that two of the top three players in the world rankings are in the final group at the Masters.
Related Articles
NFL
WR Flowers: Harbaugh's practices led to injuries
Zay Flowers claims Harbaugh's tough practices led to injuries for Ravens players.
ESPN News··1 min read
Sports
Alcaraz anuncia que no jugará en Madrid
Alcaraz se pierde el Mutua Madrid Open por lesión en la muñeca.
Marca··1 min read
NFL·Preview
2026 NFL Draft TE Preview: Fantasy football outlook for Kenyon Sadiq and a class full of intrigue (and question marks)
Get the fantasy football outlook for Kenyon Sadiq and the 2026 NFL Draft TE class.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NHL·Preview
Sabres vs. Bruins schedule: Dates, times, TV channels, scores for NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series
Check out the Sabres vs. Bruins playoff schedule, times, and TV channels!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Preview
Parker on team news, offside goals and relegation battle
Scott Parker on team updates and offside goals ahead of Nottingham Forest clash
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
Saints predicted by AFC South scout to draft 'blue-chip' CB with No. 8 pick
AFC South scout predicts Saints to draft cornerback Jermod McCoy at No. 8