After a dominant showing on Thursday and Friday at The Masters in Augusta, defending champion Rory McIlroy came back down to earth during Saturday’s third round.
He entered the day holding a six-shot lead at 12-under par after firing a seven-under round on Friday, which included birdies on six of his final seven holes.
However, McIlroy shot one-over par on Saturday, and his lead quickly disappeared. He now sits at 11-under par, tied with Cameron Young, while several others remain within striking distance, setting up what should be a dramatic final round on Sunday.
Despite the tighter leaderboard, McIlroy still sounded confident. During his post-round interview, he once again referenced already having a green jacket — a comment that drew some criticism from fans who feel he has mentioned it frequently throughout the week.
“I’d like to think that I’ll play a little bit freer and I’ll play, you know, like I’ve already got a green jacket — which I do. Sometimes I maybe just have to remind myself of that,” McIlroy said when discussing his mindset heading into what could be a high-pressure final round.
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Fans didn’t hold back in reacting to McIlroy’s comments:
“He is insufferable,” one fan said.
Another added: “This is as icky, tacky, and non-competitive a statement as you can get. If he chokes, it won’t be a surprise.”
A third wrote: “Seems like a strange comment — kind of weak, frankly. What does that even mean? Is he no longer hungry to win a second green jacket?”
“He’s the literal worst,” another fan commented.
McIlroy spent well over a decade trying to capture a green jacket, finally doing so in iconic fashion in 2025 — a victory that also completed the career Grand Slam, a feat achieved by only a select few in golf history.
That breakthrough clearly lifted a significant weight off his shoulders, allowing him to play with more freedom — something he has emphasized on multiple occasions leading up to and throughout the tournament.
Still, McIlroy remains firmly in contention to repeat. He’ll be paired with Cameron Young in Sunday’s final group, teeing off at 2:25 p.m. ET.
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