Rory McIlroy right where he wants to be at Masters despite third round plunge

Rory McIlroy right where he wants to be at Masters despite third round plunge

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Oh, Rory. He’s doing it again, to himself, and to us.

The defending Masters champion showed up for the third round at Augusta National Golf Club with the largest 36-hole lead in tournament history.

In less than three hours on the course, it was gone.

But Rory McIlroy is Rory McIlroy and the Masters is the Masters, so the story of his day was far from over. A half hour later, he was back in the lead by himself.

Did that last? No it did not.

There would be one more bogey, dropping him back into a tie for the lead with the surging Cameron Young, and that’s where McIlroy finished, tied at the top of the leaderboard, having squandered that historic six-stroke lead heading into the final round.

“I didn’t quite have it today,” McIlroy said afterward.

The weekend arrives with the leaderboard tightening and pressure rising at Augusta National.

These images follow Rory McIlroy as he begins Saturday in the hunt at the Masters.

Above, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 14th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 11th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy walks up the first fairway during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy misses a putt on the first green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 11th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the seventh green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the second hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the practice green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot at the tournament practice area during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy chips onto the fourth green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the first hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy walk down the first fairway during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the practice green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the third green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks at his ball on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the seventh hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the eighth tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 11th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot from a bunker on the seventh hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Sam Burns of the United States walk the eighth fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland moves an obstruction out of the way on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the rules official on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland asks patrons to move on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 15th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 15th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Patrons watch as Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the 16th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the 12th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 12th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 13th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the 12th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his caddie Harry Diamond walks over the Hogan Bridge to the 12th hole green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 14th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

The weekend arrives with the leaderboard tightening and pressure rising at Augusta National.

These images follow Rory McIlroy as he begins Saturday in the hunt at the Masters.

Above, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 14th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

1 / 40

Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

The weekend arrives with the leaderboard tightening and pressure rising at Augusta National.

These images follow Rory McIlroy as he begins Saturday in the hunt at the Masters.

Above, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 14th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 11th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy walks up the first fairway during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy misses a putt on the first green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 11th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the seventh green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the second hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the practice green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot at the tournament practice area during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy chips onto the fourth green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the first hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy walk down the first fairway during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the practice green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the third green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks at his ball on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the seventh hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the eighth tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 11th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot from a bunker on the seventh hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Sam Burns of the United States walk the eighth fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland moves an obstruction out of the way on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the rules official on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland asks patrons to move on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 15th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 15th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Patrons watch as Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the 16th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the 12th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 12th tee during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 13th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks the 12th fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and his caddie Harry Diamond walks over the Hogan Bridge to the 12th hole green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 14th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

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Rory McIlroy let 6‑stroke Masters lead slip away still co‑leader

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 15th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026, in Augusta, Georgia.

He barely sounded chagrined. He wasn’t satisfied by any means, but he wasn’t particularly unhappy. He is used to this. Last year in the final round of the 2025 Masters, he lost the lead three times and still won the tournament, completing the career Grand Slam.

So he is right where he wants to be.

“I have to look at the positives,” he said after his one-over-par round of 73, dropping him back to 11-under par for the tournament. “I did bounce back. But I know I have to be better tomorrow to have a chance.”

He also knows exactly how to master “tomorrow” at the Masters, because he did it a year ago.

“I’d like to think that I’ll play a little bit freer,” he said, “and I’ll play like I’ve already got a green jacket, which I do. Sometimes I maybe just have to remind myself of that.”

When the fans at Augusta National surround him wherever he goes, when they call his name and reach out to touch him and slap his hand (and he reaches back to slap theirs), they do it with good reason. He is a multi-zillionaire, but he is honest, and what he does on the course, both good and bad, is so interesting that he seems like one of them. He makes mistakes. He hits the ball in the water. He hangs his head. He admits to sometimes feeling “a little bit uneasy” as he stands over the ball, as he did in Amen Corner after a double-bogey on the 11th hole. And then, when things seem to be at their worst, he rallies. He is endlessly fascinating.

After two scintillating rounds — a five-under 67 followed by a seven-under 65, in which he birdied six of his last seven holes — it certainly seemed like he would run away with this tournament. But his third round began with a bogey, so while McIlroy was backpedaling, an illustrious group was charging, including Young, Sam Burns, Shane Lowry, Jason Day, Justin Rose and Scottie Scheffler.

“The course was obviously gettable,” McIlroy said after it was all over. “There were a lot of good scores out there, and obviously the quality of the chasing pack is obvious. There's a lot of guys in with a chance tomorrow. 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.”

The final round of the Masters is coming, and Rory McIlroy is most definitely in the running. Whatever he does — win, lose, dominate, collapse — one thing is certain: we won’t be able to take our eyes off him.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rory McIroy dips in Masters third round but has winning experience