McIlroy Shares Masters Lead After Stumbling Saturday

Rory McIlroy loses six-shot lead but remains tied for top spot heading into final round.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:25am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a golfer's swing and the Masters tournament action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conveying the excitement and uncertainty of the final round.The unpredictable third round at the Masters has set the stage for an open and competitive final day of play.Augusta Today

Rory McIlroy saw his six-shot lead at the Masters disappear in just 11 holes on Saturday, as the tournament opened up with a wide-open chase for the green jacket. Despite the stunning turn of events, McIlroy remains tied for the lead heading into the final round.

Why it matters

McIlroy has been chasing his first Masters title for years, and this year seemed primed to finally break through. The collapse on Saturday has thrown the tournament wide open, setting up an exciting final round showdown between several top contenders.

The details

McIlroy's six-shot lead vanished quickly on Saturday, as he struggled through the first 11 holes. Instead of only two players within six shots of the lead, the tournament is now wide open with a number of golfers in contention heading into Sunday's final round.

  • McIlroy held a six-shot lead at the start of Saturday's third round.
  • McIlroy lost that six-shot advantage in just the first 11 holes on Saturday.

The players

Rory McIlroy

A four-time major champion who has been chasing his first Masters title for years.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Rory McIlroy

What’s next

The final round of the 2026 Masters will take place on Sunday, April 13th, with McIlroy and several other top contenders in the hunt for the green jacket.

The takeaway

McIlroy's collapse on Saturday has opened up the Masters, setting up an exciting final round showdown between multiple players with a chance to win their first green jacket.