Rory McIlroy delivered a performance for the ages on Saturday at Augusta National, rocketing into the lead at the Masters with a historic third-round 66 that has him poised to claim his first green jacket — and complete golf’s elusive career grand slam.
The 35-year-old Northern Irishman came out swinging, carding a birdie, an eagle, and another birdie on the opening three holes to leapfrog his Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose. McIlroy made Masters history by becoming the first player ever to begin a round with five consecutive threes, per the PGA Tour. He parred the sixth before his streak ended on the seventh.
“It was such a great way to start,” McIlroy said after the round. “There’s so much anticipation building overnight, you just want to get out there and play.”
McIlroy’s surge is even more impressive considering his poor opening round. He clawed back into contention Friday and entered the third round tied for third, two strokes behind Rose. Saturday’s 6-under 66 — matching his Friday score — pushed him to 12-under par overall, giving him a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau heading into Sunday’s final round.
Despite bogeys on the eighth and tenth holes, McIlroy added a second eagle on the 13th — the first time he’s done so in a major — keeping momentum firmly in his favor. Now, the world No. 2 stands just 18 holes from becoming only the sixth player in golf history to complete the modern career grand slam, joining the likes of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
It’s been 11 years since McIlroy’s last major win, and the Masters has long been the missing piece. Reflecting on that journey, McIlroy laughed while recounting a story: “A few weeks ago, my daughter asked me, ‘Daddy, are you famous?’ I said, ‘It depends who you ask.’”
If he wins Sunday, there will be no doubt.
McIlroy praised the Augusta crowd, calling their support “amazing” and emphasizing the need to stay composed in what’s expected to be an electric final round atmosphere. “Tomorrow in that final group is going to be loud,” he said. “I’ll have to keep my head down and stay in my bubble.”
McIlroy will be paired with Bryson DeChambeau, who staged his own late-round rally. After an inconsistent middle stretch, the 31-year-old LIV Golf star birdied three of the last four holes, including a crowd-pleasing long putt on 18, to finish 3-under for the day and 10-under for the tournament.
The two are no strangers to drama — DeChambeau edged McIlroy by a single stroke at the 2024 U.S. Open. Now, they meet again on golf’s most hallowed stage, with the final round tee-off set for 2:30 p.m. ET.
Canada’s Corey Conners sits four shots back in third, while world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler trails at 5-under, needing a near-miracle on Sunday.
