McIlroy Soars into Sunday at Augusta with Grand Slam Glory in Sight
Northern Irishman’s electric 66 puts him two clear as history beckons at the Masters
Augusta, Georgia - Rory McIlroy is just one round away from golfing immortality after a thrilling third-round 66 gave him the solo lead at 12-under-par heading into Sunday at Augusta National.
The Northern Irishman, chasing a career Grand Slam in his 17th Masters appearance, lit up the course with a pair of eagles and a historic opening stretch of six consecutive 3s—something no player had previously achieved to start a round at the Masters.
McIlroy now stands two shots clear of Bryson DeChambeau, who stayed in touch with a steady 69 to reach 10-under. Canada’s Corey Conners is third at 8-under after a 70, still searching for his first top-five finish in a major.
“I felt calm all day,” said McIlroy. “I’ve learned from the past here, and today I just let it flow. There’s still work to do, but I’m in a great spot.”
McIlroy’s third-round surge marks the first time he has recorded back-to-back rounds of 66 or better at Augusta. If he holds on, it would be his fifth major title—and his first in 11 years.
Among those in pursuit are Patrick Reed and Ludvig Åberg at six-under, while Jason Day leads the Asia-Pacific contingent at five-under, one ahead of Korea’s Sungjae Im. Byeong Hun An sits at one-under after a 70.
DeChambeau, aiming to become the first player since Cameron Smith in 2020 to shoot all four rounds in the 60s at the Masters, remains firmly in the hunt. “It’s going to take something special,” he said, “but I love where my game is.”
A victory on Sunday would place McIlroy among golf’s most elite company—joining Nicklaus, Woods, Hogan, Sarazen, and Player as career Grand Slam winners. And if he does it from seven back after round one, it would match comeback feats by Faldo in 1990 and Woods in 2005.
The final round is set. History is within reach. The only question left is whether Rory McIlroy can grasp it.