Rory McIlroy Tied for Masters Lead After Amen Corner Trouble

Defending champion loses 3 shots on treacherous Augusta stretch

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:25am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the various elements of Rory McIlroy's golf swing and the challenging Amen Corner stretch at the Masters tournament, with overlapping planes of color and form creating a dynamic, abstract representation of the pivotal moment in the competition.Rory McIlroy's bid to defend his Masters title hit a snag at Amen Corner, setting up an unpredictable final round at Augusta National.Augusta Today

Rory McIlroy, the defending Masters champion, lost 3 shots on the notoriously difficult Amen Corner stretch at Augusta National, dropping him into a tie for the tournament lead after the third round.

Why it matters

Amen Corner is considered one of the most challenging and pivotal sections of the Masters course, with the 11th, 12th, and 13th holes often determining the outcome of the tournament. McIlroy's struggles there have opened up the competition, making the final round more wide-open.

The details

McIlroy encountered trouble on the 12th hole, where his tee shot found the water, leading to a double bogey. He then bogeyed the 13th hole, erasing the lead he had built earlier in the round.

  • McIlroy's troubles occurred during the third round on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Rory McIlroy

The defending Masters champion who is currently tied for the lead after the third round.

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What they’re saying

“I don't get the sense I'll be the fan favourite but some fans that cheer for me have gotten louder over the last year.”

— Rory McIlroy

What’s next

McIlroy and the other leaders will tee off in the final round on Sunday, April 12, 2026, with the winner set to be crowned the new Masters champion.

The takeaway

McIlroy's struggles at Amen Corner have opened up the Masters, setting up an exciting final round where any of the top contenders could emerge victorious.