Rory McIlroy’s Masters lead gone as Cameron Young ties for top spot Sunday

If you thought the Masters was over after Rory McIlroy’s thrilling second round, I’d like to remind you that nothing starts until Sunday’s final nine at Augusta.

And after Saturday’s third-round action, which saw McIlroy’s biggest-ever six-shot lead through 36 holes completely evaporate, these final nine holes are sure to be exciting.

New York’s Cameron Young and reigning champion McIlroy will be paired in the final match of the 90th edition of the Masters, with both golfers under 11 years of age.

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McIlroy started the day at 12-under, but a bogey in the first round combined with three birdies from Patrick Reed saw his lead quickly diminish. McIlroy’s lead grew back to a comfortable four-point lead when McIlroy birdied the third and Reed birdied the 4th. Reed eventually fell in the rankings, but Young rose in the rankings.

Trailing by 4 after his first round, Young started the day eight shots behind McIlroy, birdieing the 16th to tie McIlroy just seconds before McIlroy trailed 12 and dropped into second place. He shot a 7-under 65 to jump to the top of the leaderboard, while McIlroy shot a 1-over 73. After getting into the water, Young birdied eight holes to go with a bogey on the par-5 15th.

But McIlroy struggled on the back nine, getting into the water for double bogey on 11 while also birding 12 and 18.

Rory McIlroy reacts after hitting a putt on the 18th green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Michael Madrid/Imagn Images)

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But this tournament now extends well beyond the leaders, as there are 20 players at seven innings and 14 at six innings. McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood were the only golfers among the top 20 players entering Saturday to score above par in the third round, making Saturday’s move-in day quite a preview for an exciting Sunday.

Sam Burns singled to lead the third at 10 under, while Shane Lowry, who benefited from a single, was two back. Jason Day and Justin Rose are at 8-under, while Scottie Scheffler and Haotong Li are at 7-under (Scheffler also shot 65 for the tournament after starting Saturday).

Other notable names in the mix include Patrick Cantlay, Russell Henley and Reed at 6-under, Collin Morikawa at 5-under, and Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka at 4-under.

Masters champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland greets Cameron Young of the United States on green 18 during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2026. (Logan Whitton/Augusta National/Getty Images)

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After pairing up in the first two rounds, McIlroy and Young will shoot together again at 2:25 p.m. ET. McIlroy is trying to make up for lost time and become the first golfer since Tiger Woods to win back-to-back green jackets.

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