Rory McIlroy aims for ‘free’ state of mind in final round of Masters after losing six-shot lead

Rory McIlroy hopes to benefit from a “free” state of mind on the final day of the Masters, despite the defending champion conceding he will have to improve markedly from round three to retain the Green Jacket. McIlroy saw his six-stroke lead evaporate on Saturday, meaning he enters the fourth round in a tie with Cameron Young at the top of the leaderboard. McIlroy was visibly short of his best during a one-over par 73.

The Northern Irishman can, however, pull upon the glory of 2025 at the same venue. “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. 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.

“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.”

McIlroy headed straight for Augusta National’s driving range upon completion of media duties as he sought to iron out swing kinks. He saw shots miss to both the left and right during spells in round three. “There’s a long way to go,” McIlroy added. “This golf course has a way of, when you’re not quite feeling it, you struggle. You have to dig deep and I felt like I did that on the front nine and made a lot of good par saves. I just know I need to be better tomorrow to have a chance.

“I think for me it’s just about keeping my lower body moving. If I can just get my lower body moving through impact, that should sort of fix it.”

Young, who shot a third round of 65, is looking to emulate McIlroy of last year by winning the Players Championship and Masters within a matter of weeks. He played down the significance of the potential historical parallel. “That guarantees me absolutely nothing moving forward,” Young said. “I’m owed nothing. My past results don’t dictate what I do tomorrow.

“While I do feel that there’s a lot of positive things to take from those events, I’ve got to go earn whatever I get out of tomorrow and the best way that I know to do that is to try to attack the day like I have the last three.”