Rory McIlroy will go into the final round of the Masters in a share of the lead with Cameron Young after blowing the six-shot advantage he took into the weekend on a dramatic moving day on Saturday.
At -12, McIlroy held an unprecedented lead heading into the third round, as the Northern Irishman bids to become just the fourth man to win the Masters back-to-back, but his healthy position at the top of the leaderboard was wiped out on a wild day at Augusta National.
He will start on -11, along with Players champion Young, after the American caught fire and joined the defending champion at the top just as McIlroy found the water and made a double-bogey-six on the 12th, followed by another bogey on the 13th.
Young’s blazing round of -7 was matched by world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, who will start Sunday four shots behind, with Shane Lowry and last year’s runner-up Justin Rose also in firm contention. Lowry produced the moment of the round with a hole-in-one on the 6th.
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The Masters 2026: Leaderboard and latest scores and updates
- Rory McIlroy shares Masters lead with Cameron Young
- Shane Lowry joins chase with stunning hole-in-one
- Masters leaderboard | Live on Sky Sports
- -11 Young (65), McIlroy (73)
- -10 Burns (68)
- -9 Lowry (68)
- -8 Day (68), Rose (69)
- -7 Scheffler (65), Li (69)
Rory McIlroy reacts to third round at The Masters
00:20 , Jack Rathborn“I knew today wouldn't be easy, the quality of the chasing pack was obvious,” McIlroy tells Sky Sports. “A lot of guys played superb golf. Scottie, Cam and everyone else.
“I didn't quite have it today, a soft bogey on the first, I scambled on the front nine, I felt I turned it around on 10, I felt I got lucky on 11, hit a good second shot, but I bounced back well, disappointed to make a bogey in the last couple of holes.
“I would've wanted to have a better position. I wish I'd have had more, I'll go to the range now, I'll need to be better tomorrow. It's amazing, that was the goal coming in here, I still have a great chance, if I win tomorrow I'll have to be better than I was today."
Masters 2026: How will Rory McIlroy reflect on on his day?
00:13 , Jamie BraidwoodMcIlroy looks absolutely exhausted after that round of 73. He admits he “didn’t quite have it today” - but the defending champion would have taken this position on Wednesday.
He will be in the final group with Cameron Young and with a great chance of winning back-to-back Masters. But he knows he will have to be better tomorrow.
Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy for birdie and the lead...
00:03 , Jamie BraidwoodRory McIlroy found the top platform with his approach going into the 18th. It leaves a long birdie putt, to take a sole lead of the Masters heading into the final day. He’s gives it a good run, but it stops short. So McIlroy will share the lead with Cameron Young going into tomorrow.
Wow. That is not what we expected when McIlroy took a six-shot advantage into the weekend. But that was a dramatic day, and it sets up tomorrow wonderfully.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (F), McIlroy (F); -10 Burns (F); -9 Lowry (F); -8 Day (F), Rose (F); -7 Scheffler (F), Li (F); -6 Reed (F)
Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy heads down 18th
23:56 , Jamie BraidwoodI can barely watch Rory McIlroy driving the 18th but this time, whew, he splits the fairway with a drive straight down the middle. He looks relieved, too.
This has not been Patrick Reeds’s day after starting with three birdies in a row, and he drops another on the 18th after ending up in the fairway bunker. He will drop back to -6, where he started the day.
Justin Rose is in a great position, though, after a round of 69, sitting three back. He could have made more putts today, but it’s a bogey-free round from last year’s runner-up.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (F), McIlroy (17); -10 Burns (17); -9 Lowry (F); -8 Day (F), Rose (F); -7 Scheffler (F), Li (F); -6 Reed (F)
Masters 2026: McIlroy bogeys 17th, Young back into co-lead
23:49 , Jamie BraidwoodRory McIlroy is left with 10 feet or so for par to keep his one-shot lead from Cameron Young heading down the 18th...
... but it stops agonisingly short of the hole! McIlroy bends his knees but it will not drop and he falls back to +1 for his day.
McIlroy has paid the price, again, for being out of position following his drive.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (F), McIlroy (17); -10 Burns (17); -9 Lowry (F); -8 Day (F), Rose (17); -7 Scheffler (F), Li (F) Reed (17)
Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy with work to do on 17th
23:44 , Jamie BraidwoodMcIlroy finds a line out of the trees and punches a chip from the pine straw. He goes through the green but faces a tough up-and-down to make par.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (16);-11 Young (F); -10 Burns (16); -9 Lowry (F); -8 Day (F), Rose (17); -7 Scheffler (F), Li (F) Reed (17)
Masters 2026: Shane Lowry cards 68, three shots back
23:41 , Jamie BraidwoodShane Lowry produced the moment of the day when he become the first player in Masters history to record two holes-in-one at Augusta. That ace was followed by finding the water at the 13th, but he has rallied to get to -9 and sit three shots off the lead. A fine round of 68 for the Irishman.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (16);-11 Young (F); -10 Burns (16); -9 Lowry (F); -8 Day (F), Rose (17); -7 Scheffler (F), Li (F) Reed (17)
Masters 2026: McIlroy sends another drive wayward
23:37 , Jamie BraidwoodOh boy. McIlroy has sent another drive wayward. This one, on the 17th, has gone left and disappears into the trees before running through the pine straw towards the seventh. It’s remarkable that McIlroy is leading the Masters when it feels as if he has not found a fairway all day.
Shane Lowry will have a look at birdie on the 18th; Justin Rose needs an up-and-down to make par on the 17th.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (16);-11 Young (F); -10 Burns (16); -9 Lowry (17); -8 Day (F), Rose (16); -7 Scheffler (F), Li (F) Reed (16)
Masters 2026: McIlroy to head down 17 one-shot ahead
23:33 , Jamie BraidwoodMcIlroy keeps it safe on 16. He finds the green and his uphill putt leaves a tap-in for par. Sam Burns, playing in the same group, has let a couple of chances go begging.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (16);-11 Young (F); -10 Burns (16); -9 Lowry (17); -8 Day (F), Rose (16); -7 Scheffler (F), Li (F) Reed (16)
Masters 2026: McIlroy retakes solo lead!
23:26 , Jamie BraidwoodRory McIlroy was left with 20ft for eagle. He gave it a good go, but would snap your hand off for the birdie that gives him the solo lead again. He’s back to -12 after back-to-back birdies.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (15);-11 Young (F); -10 Burns (15); -9 Lowry (16); -8 Day (F), Rose (16); -7 Scheffler (F), Li (F) Reed (16)
The lead belongs once again to the defending champion. #themasters pic.twitter.com/wZizy95Ozo
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy hunting eagle on No 15
23:22 , Jamie BraidwoodRory McIlroy, back on 15th at Augusta where he hit the shot of his life a year ago, finds himself in a familiar position. He clearly likes it, and walks after the ball as it arcs up high and drops back down to leave a long look at eagle. There’s a good chance he recovers his lead here, though.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (F), McIlroy (14); -10 Burns (13); -9 Lowry (16); -8 Day (F), Rose (15); -7 Scheffler (F), Li (F) Reed (15)
Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy back to -11 !
23:11 , Jamie BraidwoodOh how Rory McIlroy needed this after the double-bogey and bogey around Amen Corner! The defending champion trickles down a birdie putt from 15 feet on the 14th to get back to -11.
Sam Burns misses the chance to join him, from about six feet.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (F), McIlroy (14); -10 Burns (13); -9 Lowry (15); -8 Day (F), Li (17), Rose (14); -7 Scheffler (F), Reed (14)
Rory McIlroy regains a share of the lead. #themasters pic.twitter.com/aMIYMLQZq1
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Masters 2026: Cameron Young cards round of 65 to take lead
23:08 , Jamie BraidwoodWhat a performance from Cameron Young, 65 is the round of the week so far. It’s put the Players champion right in contention. Remarkable to think he was +4 after the front nine on Thursday. He’s now -11.
Former runner-up Jason Day is up there too after a solid round of 68.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (F); -10 McIlroy (13), Burns (13); -9 Lowry (15); -8 Day (F), Li (17), Rose (14); -7 Scheffler (F), Reed (14)
Masters 2026: Lowry avoids bogey to remain in hunt
23:05 , Jamie BraidwoodSuddenly there aren’t too many players left out on the course. Shane Lowry has avoided a bogey at the 15th, taking his par after chipping near the hole from his dropped shot to remain -9. Justin Rose has ended a long, long way left on the 15th.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (17); -10 McIlroy (13), Burns (13); -9 Lowry (15); -8 Day (17), Li (17), Rose (13); -7 Scheffler (F),
Masters 2026: Shane Lowry finds the water!
22:58 , Jamie BraidwoodOh that’s a blow for Shane Lowry! The 15th is claiming victims left and right and Lowry is the latest to go tumbling into the creek. So that will be a dropped shot for the Irishman. Rory McIlroy recovers to make par on the 13th, but he’s not made a single birdie on a par-5 today. How about that, though, from Sam Burns! He does get his birdie to join McIlroy on -10.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (17); -10 McIlroy (13), Burns (13); -9 Lowry (14); -8 Day (16), Li (16), Rose (13); -7 Scheffler (F),
Masters 2026: Cameron Young heading down the last
22:55 , Jamie BraidwoodA huge par putt from Cameron Young on 17. He’s heading down the 18th now knowing a par would give him a round of -7.
Rory McIlroy had to chip out from the trees on the 13th, so his third round into the green was coming from up high. It skids through the green.
He’s got a tricky up-and-down left.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (17); -10 McIlroy (11); -9 Lowry (14), Burns (11); -8 Day (16), Li (16), Rose (13); -7 Scheffler (F),
Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy in more trouble; birdie for Justin Rose
22:49 , Jamie BraidwoodRory McIlroy’s wayward driving has put him in spots of bother all day and he is back in the pine straw on the par-5 13th.
The chasing pack are being given plenty of encouragement and there are birdies for Justin Rose, who has not dropped a shot all afternoon, and Shane Lowry, who gets back to -9.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (16); -10 McIlroy (11); -9 Lowry (14), Burns (11); -8 Day (16), Li (16), Rose (13); -7 Scheffler (F),
Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy loses the lead to Cameron Young
22:40 , Jamie BraidwoodThis is just astonishing. Rory McIlroy bogeys the 12th, after his double bogey at the 11th, just as Cameron Young joined him in the lead.
A six-shot advantage has been lost! Remarkably, Young has just got another kick off a tree after sending his drive on the 17th a little wide.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (16); -10 McIlroy (11); -9 Day (15), Li (14), Burns (11); -8 Lowry (12); -7 Scheffler (F), Rose (10)
Masters 2026: Cameron Young into co-lead!
22:38 , Jamie BraidwoodRemarkable! Cameron Young drains a long birdie putt at the par-3 16th to move into the co-lead of The Masters, with McIlroy facing a long par putt on the par-3 12th after failing to make the green.
This is an astonishing round from Young, seven-under so far, and it looks to be best of the week.
Leaderboard: -11 Young (16), McIlroy (11); -9 Day (15), Li (14), Burns (11); -8 Lowry (12); -7 Scheffler (F), Rose (10)
Masters 2026: Leader Rory McIlroy is wobbling
22:33 , Jamie BraidwoodAnother ‘oh no’ from the tee box from Rory McIlroy, and his approach into the par-3 12th has gone long of the green, setting up a tricky chip back towards the creek.
Yikes.
Leaderboard: -11 McIlroy (11); -10 Young (15); -9 Day (15), Li (14), Burns (11); -8 Lowry (12); -7 Scheffler (F), Rose (10)
Masters 2026: Double bogey for McIlroy!
22:30 , Jamie BraidwoodRory McIlroy controls his chip from the drop zone and looks to be settling for bogey... but his putt for a five trickles down the hill and lips out! So that will be a double-bogey-six and suddenly the lead is just one!
His playing partner Sam Burns has just made birdie, too, and the leaderboard is suddenly very, very tight.
Leaderboard: -11 McIlroy (11); -10 Young (15); -9 Day (15), Li (14), Burns (11); -8 Lowry (12); -7 Scheffler (F), Rose (10)
Masters 2026: Jason Day on fire with fourth birdie in a row
22:25 , Jamie BraidwoodA runner-up on his Masters debut in 2011, Jason Day is still chasing his first Masters now 15 years later. The Aussie is heating up on the back nine and is now within four of McIlroy, who will be dropping, after his fourth birdie in a row.
Young makes a bogey-six on 15, the same hole, after finding the water. He actually did well to keep it to six.
Leaderboard: -13 McIlroy (10); -10 Young (15); -9 Day (15), Li (14); -8 Lowry (12), -8 Burns (10); -7 Scheffler (F), Rose (10)
Masters 2026: RORY MCILROY INTO THE WATER ON 11!
22:22 , Jamie BraidwoodOH MAN. Rory McIlroy made exactly this mistake last year! On the 11th, he swings his approach from right to left but it crashes onto the green and falls down into the water. With Cameron Young dropping a shot at the 15th, McIlroy is going to make at least a bogey on the 11th.
Leaderboard: -13 McIlroy (10); -10 Young (15); -9 Li (14); -8 Day (14), Li (13), Lowry (12), -8 Burns (10); -7 Scheffler (F), Rose (10)
Masters 2026: Cameron Young finds the water on 15!
22:17 , Jamie BraidwoodOh boy! Cameron Young, flawless and faultless all day, makes a big mistake with his third shot on 15! He had layed up rather than going for the green in two, but his approach catches the top of the slope, halts, and tumbles down into the creek. That’s a big moment. Young, though, has put his fifth shot tight to the hole so he may avoid the double.
Leaderboard: -13 McIlroy (10); -11 Young (14); -8 Day (14), Li (13), Lowry (12), -8 Burns (10); -7 Scheffler (F), Rose (10)
Masters 2026: Birdie for McIlroy! Lead back to two
22:11 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter an untidy front nine, Rory McIlroy gets a valuable birdie to start the back nine. The approach with his wedge left just a few feet for birdie, and he rolls in a tricky one that was sloping downhill. He gets his lead back to two shots, and is under-par for his round for the first time today.
Leaderboard: -13 McIlroy (10); -11 Young (14); -8 Day (14), Li (13), Lowry (12), -8 Burns (10); -7 Scheffler (F), Rose (10)
Masters 2026: Dropped shots for Lowry, Li and Reed
22:09 , Jamie BraidwoodIs this becoming a two-horse race between McIlroy and Young? Shane Lowry went way left with his drive on the 11th and ends up with a bogey-five. Patrick Reed has gone cold in the penultimate group and drops another at the 10th to get back to where he started on -6. Haotong Li did find the creek on the 13th and cards a bogey-six to also drop away.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (9); -11 Young (14); -8 Day (14), Li (13), Lowry (12), -8 Burns (9); -7 Scheffler (F), Rose (9)
Masters 2026: Cameron Young goes a shot off the lead
22:04 , Jamie BraidwoodThree birdies in a row for Cameron Young and suddenly he’s a shot off the lead at the Masters! His latest approach was stuck to within two feet and after playing 14 holes today, he’s birdied seven of them.
At one stage this week, Young was +4. But he won the Players and has carried on that form into the Masters.
Meanwhile, Jason Day, who has always performed well at the Masters, has reeled off three birdies in a row on the back nine to get to -8.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (9); -11 Young (14); -9 Li (12), Lowry (9), -8 Day (14), Burns (9); -7 Scheffler (F), Rose (9)
Masters 2026: McIlroy to begin back nine with lead down to two
21:58 , Jamie BraidwoodRory McIlroy is one of only two players in the top-20 not under par for his round today, and another look at birdie slips by on the ninth. The defending champion gets to the turn exactly where he started, on -12, but with his lead reduced to two shots.
Young and Lowry are on fire but Haotong Li appears to have run into some trouble on the par-5 13th. Was that the creek?
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (9); -10 Young (13); -9 Li (12), Lowry (9), -8 Burns (9); -7 Scheffler (F), Day (13), Reed (9), Rose (9)
Masters 2026: Cameron Young gets to double digits
21:54 , Jamie BraidwoodCameron Young will be wondering who is watching over him today after getting his birdie at the 13th, and getting to -10 to join Rory McIlroy on double-digits. The Players champion looked to have sent his drive left, but it bounced off the trees and back onto the fairway. Shane Lowry has also knocked in his putt from a foot.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (8); -10 Young (13); -9 Li (12), Lowry (9), -8 Burns (8); -7 Scheffler (F), Day (13), Reed (9), Rose (9)
Masters 2026: Another stunner from Lowry
21:47 , Jamie BraidwoodWow, wow Shane Lowry has just played another cracker of an approach that will surely result in him immediately making up his dropped shot on the 10th. Cameron Young, after that break off the trees, has made the green in two on the par-5 13th and will have a long look at eagle.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (8); -9 Young (12), Li (12), Lowry (9), -8 Burns (8); -7 Scheffler (F), Clark (10), Reed (9), Rose (9)
Masters 2026: McIlroy sees birdie chance slip by
21:44 , Jamie BraidwoodIt seems incredible to say given he started the day six clear, but Rory McIlroy could do with a birdie pretty soon given the pack that is lurking at his heels.
Cameron Young, in second, has just received another fortunate break by having his drive on the 13th kick back into play off the trees after it looked to be heading out of bounds.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (8); -9 Young (12), Li (11), Lowry (9), -8 Burns (8); -7 Scheffler (F), Clark (9), Reed (8), Rose (8)
Masters 2026: Bogey for Lowry to finish the front nine
21:40 , Jamie BraidwoodAh, you can tell how disappointed Lowry is to be finishing a brilliant front-nine with a sloppy bogey after missing his par put from just a few feet. He drops to -8, after a front nine of 33.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (7); -9 Young (12), Li (11), Lowry (9), -8 Burns (8); -7 Scheffler (F), Clark (9), Reed (8), Rose (8)
Masters 2026: Justin Rose finds a birdie to get within five
21:34 , Jamie BraidwoodJustin Rose gets a birdie at the par-5 No 8, showing his experience to get to within five of McIlroy. Patrick Reed is playing in the same group but three putts his way to a par - the 2018 champion has gone a little quiet since making three birdies in a row to start his round.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (7); -9 Young (10), Li (9), Lowry (8), -8 Burns (7); -7 Scheffler (F), Clark (9), Reed (7), Rose (8)
Masters 2026: A 65 for Scheffler, five shots off the pace
21:28 , Jamie BraidwoodA stunning round of 65 for Scottie Scheffler has put the two-time champion into contention. He had chances on the back nine to get even closer to McIlroy, but after starting the day 12 shots off the pace he’ll settle for that. Scheffler made a scrambling par on the 18th to keep his card for the day clean.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (7); -9 Young (10), Li (9), Lowry (8), -8 Burns (7); -7 Scheffler (F), Clark (9), Reed (7); -6 Cantlay (F), Rose (7)
Masters 2026: Shane Lowry back to second place, three shots off lead
21:24 , Jamie BraidwoodMcIlroy makes another big par putt to get his four, but Lowry has just gone three shots off his fellow Irishman with birdie on the par-5 No 8. Li, however, has missed his chance to go to -10. Lowry, then, is back into a share of second place.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (7); -9 Young (10), Li (9), Lowry (8), -8 Burns (7); -7 Scheffler (17), Reed (7), Clark (9); -6 Cantlay (F), Rose (7)
Masters 2026: McIlroy in trouble on No 7
21:20 , Jamie BraidwoodMcIlroy sends his drive on the par-4 No 7 into the trees and his bump from under the branches rolls into the green-side bunker.
But up ahead, Lowry has pinned another lovely approach to a few feet to set up birdie chance, and Haotong Li has just produced another glorious shot for the chance to go -10. There could be plenty of movement in the next few minutes.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (6); -9 Young (10), Li (9), -8 Lowry (7), Burns (6); -7 Scheffler (17), Reed (7); -6 Cantlay (F), Rose (7)
Masters 2026: The Americans are responding!
21:14 , Jamie BraidwoodCameron Young is quickly emerging as the biggest threat to McIlroy’s chances of winning back-to-back green jackets. The Players champion has gone birdie-birdie either side of the turn thanks to some superb approach play.
Scheffler has also put a wonderful soft approach to within a few feet on the 17th. Here comes the birdie putt... but he hangs his head and walks away before it rolls past the hole!
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (6); -9 Young (10), Li (9), -8 Lowry (7), Burns (6); -7 Scheffler (17), Reed (7); -6 Cantlay (F), Rose (7)
Masters 2026: Par for McIlroy
21:09 , Jamie BraidwoodA brilliant escape for McIlroy after finding trouble on the par-3 sixth. First chipping up the bank then keeping his cool to hole the downward par putt.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (6); -9 Li (9), -8 Young (9), Lowry (7), Burns (6); -7 Scheffler (16), Reed (5); -6 Cantlay (F), Rose (6)
Masters 2026: Birdie for Scheffler
21:03 , Jamie BraidwoodHe couldn’t make ground on the par-5s, but Scheffler finds his birdie on the par-3 16th to get within five shots on McIlroy!
And McIlroy, standing on the par-3 sixth, could be facing some trouble. He did not like his tee shot and will be way down the bank that runs away from the green.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (5); -9 Li (8), -8 Young (9), Lowry (7), Burns (5); -7 Scheffler (16), Reed (5); -6 Cantlay (F), Rose (6)
Masters 2026: Haotong Li into second place
20:57 , Jamie BraidwoodHaotong Li is on fire. After landing a sensational approach to a few feet on the par-5 eighth, he makes his eagle. He’s -5 for the day and into second place, on -9.
McIlroy lips out on a long birdie putt on the fifth, and covers his mouth in disbelief. He could have been back to where he started.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (5); -9 Li (8), -8 Young (9), Lowry (6), Burns (5); -7 Reed (5); -6 Cantlay (F), Scheffler (15), Rose (5)
Masters 2026: Back-to-back bogeys for Reed
20:54 , Jamie BraidwoodPatrick Reed is yet to make par today through five holes. He’s gone birdie-birdie-birdie-bogey-bogey after rolling another putt past the hole. Cameron Young, meanwhile, has just received a bump after his approach on the ninth was knocked back onto the green by clattering into a fan’s foot. McIlroy is in a good position to make par on the fifth.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (4); -8 Young (8), Lowry (6), Burns (4); -7 Li (5), Reed (4); -6 Cantlay (F), Scheffler (15), Rose (5)
Masters 2026: Another par for Scheffler on a par-5
20:51 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter going -6 through the front nine, Scheffler has been unable to take advantage of the par-5s on 13 and 15. After going long of the green, Scheffler could not get all the way up and he leaves his birdie putt shot. Meanwhile, Patrick Cantley has birdied the 18th to card a round of -6, having started the day on even par.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (4); -8 Young (8), Lowry (6), Burns (4); -7 Li (5), Reed (4); -6 Cantlay (F), Scheffler (15), Rose (5)
Masters 2026: McIlroy makes his par
20:46 , Jamie BraidwoodA fine up-and-down for McIlroy from the bunker. Cameron Young has also joined the pack on -8, in a tie for second. The Players champion has made back-to-back birdies and is -4 today.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (4); -8 Young (8), Lowry (6) Reed (4), Burns (3); -7 Li (5); -6 Scheffler (14), Rose (4)
Masters 2026: SHANE LOWRY HOLE-IN-ONE!
20:42 , Jamie BraidwoodINCREDIBLE! Shane Lowry has aced the par-3 6th! The Irishman lands his approach on the green and it skips into the hole via a couple of bounces. Astonishing. And it moves him into second-place on -8. McIlroy would have heard that, too. I think the whole of Augusta did!
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (3); -8 Young (8), Lowry (6) Reed (4), Burns (3); -7 Li (5); -6 Scheffler (14), Rose (4)
A magical Masters moment for Shane Lowry! 1️⃣ ✨ pic.twitter.com/VhGQRiL1V4
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 11, 2026
Masters 2026: Bogey for Reed, McIlroy's lead back to four
20:35 , Jamie BraidwoodPatrick Reed can’t get up and down from the bunker on the par-3 fourth, but Justin Rose makes a sensational recovery from beyond the green to save par.
McIlroy was watching that from the fourth tee, but he puts his approach into the same bunker Reed was in. Further ahead, Scottie Scheffler had birdie putt on the par-5 13th, but can’t make it.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (3); -8 Reed (4), Burns (3); -7 Young (7), Li (5); -6 Scheffler (14), Rose (4)
Masters 2026: McIlroy responds with birdie after driving green
20:29 , Jamie BraidwoodWith McIlroy already on the green in one, Burns can’t get his first chip up and over the bank.
So here’s McIlroy for eagle: it’s tracking, but stops a few inches short! McIlroy will take his birdie though to get his lead back to three. Burns saves his par, too.
Leaderboard: -12 McIlroy (3); -9 Reed (3); -8 Burns (3); -7 Young (7), Li (5); -6 Scheffler (13), Rose (3)
McIlroy drives third green after rocky start to third round at Masters
20:23 , Jack RathbornReed with three birdies in three holes. He’s two back at -9. Remarkable. But his approach to the par three fourth finds the sand.
But McIlroy has just blasted a driver straight onto the third green, eagle opportunity coming up thanks to some easy power with the big stick.
Cam Young makes another birdie, too, he’s up to -7.
McIlroy settles nerves with par on two at Masters
20:19 , Jack RathbornMcIlroy with a long birdie putt on two, it’s not threatening the hole, but that was a nerve-settler as he easily makes par despite a messy drive and approach. Still ahead by three at -11.
Rose for birdie on three... YES! The Englishman finally moves up, he’s at -6.
And Burns makes another, the perfect start for the American, -2 through two, and -8 overall. Three back.
McIlroy in more trouble on two as Masters third round continues
20:11 , Jack RathbornScheffler on 13, with his feet below his ball, this one will swing viciously from right to left.
It plummets into the greenside bunker and that’ll pose a fiddly one with little green to work with.
Burns lays up on two, from the bunker, ideal. Maybe 120 yards left.
McIlroy on the pine straw for his second, just a few inches from the tree trunk. It shouldn’t be an issue, 254 yards away... OUCH!
It sprays out to the left and crashes into a pocket of patrons. There’s room to work with, but that’s not ideal, even after just two shots.
McIlroy bogeys first to hand hope to rivals at Masters
20:02 , Jack RathbornIt was a tester and it misses, McIlroy with a bogey on one. Tough.
The lead is down to four.
Hatton a little riled by a birdie miss there, but we’re just getting footage of Fleetwood on two, simple enough birdie.
Burns on one... Beautiful birdie, he’s at -7 now too.
Fleetwood and Lowry narrow gap to McIlroy at Masters
20:00 , Jack RathbornSome more movement here, Lowry and Fleetood with birdies... They join the cluster at -6. Six behind McIlroy.
McIlroy with the putter from off the back of one, he’s quite a bit short, a tester to make par.
Reed closes gap on McIlroy to move into solo second at Masters
19:54 , Jack RathbornScheffler spins one back on 12, a beautiful tee shot to the iconic par three.
Reed drains a birdie and moves to solo second at -7, just five behind McIlroy.
McIlroy avoids trouble after tee shot on one
19:53 , Jack RathbornMcIlroy with a big fade on one, it bends along the treeline, settling short of the pines.
It nestles in the second cut. That’s fine, but a nervy one as it came down.
Burns with a better one, a high, arching fade, it’s perfect and in the middle of the fairway.
Rose can’t convert on one, a simple par though.
Li moves to tie for second at Masters 2026
19:48 , Jack RathbornHaotong! The Chinese star is also on the move, he joins the group at -6.
Loud cheers for McIlroy on the first tee...
And Scottie is up to -6, too, what a remarkable round. McIlroy was 12 clear of him this morning, he’s yet to take a shot in this third round and the world No 1 is just six back.
Rose eyes birdie on one as Young launches bid after chip-in
19:46 , Jack RathbornTyrrell on the second, laying up and then a short iron... But it doesn’t spin enough. A missed opportunity for the Englishman, he’ll likely stay at -4.
Rose, on one, sublime iron to about 12 feet, the perfect start after two shots...
Cam Young chips from off the green on four... It’s in! Stunning, the American moves to -6. What a shot.
Scheffler carves out fresh chance as McIlroy walks to first tee
19:42 , Jack RathbornScheffler on 11, tackling Amen Corner, a big, high iron that hops and skips onto the lip of the green.
It fizzes back at a right angle and trickles towards the hole. Exquisite. Birdie try to move to -6 coming up.
Lowry missed a good-looking putt on one, he stays at -5.
Scheffler and Fleetwood set up birdie chances at Masters
19:35 , Jack RathbornCam Young, -1 today now, and -5 overall.
Scheffler on the 10th... Wonderful, seven feet for birdie, he couldn’t, could he?
Fleetwood out the bunker and he’s got a long-range birdie chance on one.
Lowry is closer, though, lovely wedge from the Irishman and he has that to move up to -6 alongside Reed and Burns.
Fleetwood begins third round at Masters
19:32 , Jack RathbornTommy Fleetwood is out, as is Shane Lowry.
This is the moment where the six-shot lead could narrow a touch before McIlroy even hits that first tee shot at 7:50pm BST.
Reed (-6) and Rose (-5) out next in seven minutes.
Scheffler on the move after blazing front nine in Masters third round
19:21 , Jack RathbornThere is it! Easy birdie for Scheffler, -5 for the day, -5 overall, and now seven behind McIlroy.
Matsuyama misses a par save on six, that’s a killer after great momentum early on, he slips to -4.
McIlroy just half an hour away now, hitting balls and looking extremely relaxed.
Scheffler fireworks set scene in Masters 2026 third round
19:14 , Jack RathbornOh my goodness, what has Scheffler almost done? The ball nudges the flag, drops, then hoops out on nine.
That was sensational and could’ve taken him to -6, Scheffler is on fire right now. A short putt to move to -5.
Gotterup and Matsuyama make huge moves in Masters 2026 third round
19:11 , Jack RathbornWhat a start from Chris Gotterup, an eagle on two, and he moves to -5 overall. Super!
And Matsuyama is also at -5, the former champion is -3 for his round.
While Scheffler is -4 today, and just one further back.
Scottie Scheffler begins march towards Rory McIlroy
18:53 , Jack RathbornNow then, Scheffler with another birdie, he, too, moves to -3.
It’s quite the group there now. Could Scottie get a little closer and then make a run early tomorrow? He’s fifth favourite currently, only McIlroy, Reed, Fleetwood and Rose have shorter odds, despite the world No 1 being nine shots back.
Unfortunately, Koepka misses a par putt on one, he’ll fall back to -2.
Rory McIlroy reveals mindset to retain green jacket at Masters 2026
18:49 , Jack Rathborn“It's to try to keep playing the way I'm playing,” McIlroy says now just one hour away from beginning the third round.
“Try to stay loose, stay free. There's still a long way to go. It's a great start, that's wonderful, but there's a lot of golf ahead of us.
“I need to stay in my little world. I know the game is there. I have to manage myself; hopefully, I'll do that."
18:42 , Jack RathbornMax Homa, currently looking to get out of the wilderness after a tough year, is back to -3 after a birdie on one.
A nice move from the American, who appears bullish about his swing once more.
Matsuyama is -1 today and at -3, while Fitzpatrick has made another birdie, from 37 feet on four, and now he, too, sits in that group at -3.
Homa makes first move at top of Masters 2026 leaderboard
18:42 , Jack RathbornMax Homa, currently looking to get out of the wilderness after a tough year, is back to -3 after a birdie on one.
A nice move from the American, who appears bullish about his swing once more.
Matsuyama is -1 today and at -3, while Fitzpatrick has made another birdie, from 37 feet on four, and now he, too, sits in that group at -3.
Brooks Koepka underway in third round of Masters 2026
18:37 , Jack RathbornMatt Fitzpatrick already -1 for the day and -2 overall, sees a nice birdie look drift on by.
Shane Lowry on property and takes a stroll out to the practice facilities, he’s off at 7:28pm BST, less jovial now, with a steely focus.
Could the Irishman chase down his good friend McIlroy?
Now then, Brooks Koepka underway, and he’s ditched the mock neck look that was popular over Thursday and Friday, now he’s in a bright yellow polo. The five-time major champion delivers a big swipe with the driver on one, and it trickles into the rough, but that’s fine.
Fitzpatrick eyes early birdie in Masters third round
18:22 , Jack RathbornFitzpatrick, currently -1, hits a long wood from the middle of the fairway on two, it draws into the green and bounds over the back.
A nice chance at an up-and-down to get one shot further into the red.
Meanwhile, Fleetwood, off at 7:28pm BST, is putting in some work with putting coach Phil Kenyon, spirits high, it would appear.
Tyrrell Hatton prepares for lively Masters third round pairing
18:13 , Jack RathbornAnd here’s Tyrrell!
He looks calm as he wanders into the clubhouse. Talk about an emotional pairing later, Hatton plays with Wyndham Clark at 7:17pm BST tonight. Both men are liable to combust at times, but Hatton was sensational yesterday, backing up a 74 on Thursday with a 66, only McIlroy beat that.
And McIlroy wasn’t as accurate. Hatton nailed 18 greens in regulation, just the third man to do so.
Fleetwood discusses game with Harmon before Masters third round
18:06 , Jack RathbornScheffler’s putter not quite heating up, two pars following that eagle, he stays at -2 through four.
He’ll need much more to become a factor entering tomorrow’s final round.
Aberg misses too, he stays at -1.
Fleetwood has arrived at the club, meanwhile, a quick chat with Butch Harmon. The Southport man is -5 and T-4, but with seven shots to make up to McIlroy.
Justin Rose reveals mindset on chasing Rory McIlroy at The Masters 2026
17:56 , Jack Rathborn“That's the dilemma,” Rose says when asked how he goes about closing the gap on McIlroy.
“How do you approach it? Still, I think you need to be patient, make birdies at range, try not to force mistakes.
“There are games within games, take the focus away from the leaderboard.”
Scheffler on the move - Masters 2026 latest scores and updates
17:46 , Jack RathbornScheffler makes eagle on two!
Immediately to -2 overall and 10 behind McIlroy, but that’s a significant move from the world No 1.
And that’s a monster drive on three from Scheffler, too, with the ball cosying up towards the green.
Could the weather impact McIlroy's march to a second green jacket?
17:42 , Jack RathbornIf you thought the conditions might knock McIlroy today, then think again, it's a glorious day at Augusta. With temperatures at 25-29c throughout the afternoon, it's just the most gentle of winds, too, according to the Met Office. A highest gust of 10mph is forecast.
The greens will dry out and become devilishly quick late on, but that’s to be expected.
Scottie Scheffler underway in third round of The Masters 2026
17:29 , Jack RathbornScottie Scheffler is out there in a star-studded pairing alongside Ryder Cup rival Ludvig Aberg, who inflicted a devastating 9-and-7 victory over the world No 1 and Brooks Koepka in Rome, of course.
A tidy par for Scheffler on one, he’s underway but needs a huge push from E overall to get back into this.
The Masters 2026 - 3rd Round tee times
17:28 , Jack Rathborn5:16pm - Ludvig Aberg, Scottie Scheffler
5:49pm - Nick Taylor, Matt Fitzpatrick
6:11pm - Jake Knapp, Xander Schauffele
7:17pm - Wyndham Clark, Tyrrell Hatton
7:28pm - Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood
7:39pm - Patrick Reed, Justin Rose
7:50pm - Rory McIlroy, Sam Burns
See the full list of tee times below:
The Masters 2026 third-round tee times and how to watch on TV as Rory McIlroy leads
Who could catch Rory McIlroy at The Masters 2026?
17:20 , Jack RathbornIt will be tough for anybody to catch McIlroy, especially given his driving has not been what you would expect, and yet he still leads by six shots.
That’ll change this weekend, with McIlroy likely to dial in the big stick and set up better opportunities from the fairway.
But here are the latest odds according to Betfair:
Rory McIlroy 4/9
Justin Rose 12/1
Patrick Reed 16/1
Tommy Fleetwood 16/1
Sam Burns 18/1
Cameron Young 22/1
Shane Lowry 33/1
Xander Schauffele 40/1
Brooks Koepka 50/1
Scottie Scheffler 50/1
The Masters 2026 - Round 3 latest scored and leaderboard
17:14 , Jack RathbornGood evening and welcome to the Independent’s live coverage of The Masters with Rory McIlroy aiming to take a giant step towards a second green jacket and what would be his sixth major championship.
That would tie him with Sir Nick Faldo, of course, with McIlroy holding a six-shot lead overnight as we begin the weekend action.
But many of McIlroy’s rivals will hope to move closer on moving day and apply some pressure, with the course expected to dry out over the next 36 hours.
Stay with us for live scores, updates and reaction from what promises to be a fascinating third round.