The Masters has swung from a runaway to a shootout, with the lead now shared heading into the final round at Augusta.
Rory McIlroy, who began the day with a six-shot cushion, slipped back into a tie for the lead at 11-under after a turbulent third round. Despite wayward drives and trouble off the tee, he recovered with key late birdies to stay in front.
Cameron Young is alongside him after the round of the day — a brilliant 7-under 65 that vaulted him from eight shots back into a share of the lead. A long birdie on 16 briefly gave him the outright advantage before he closed level at the top.
Sam Burns sits one back at 10-under after a composed, bogey-free 68, while Shane Lowry is two behind at 9-under, helped by a hole-in-one on the sixth.
Scottie Scheffler made the biggest move from the chasing pack. The World No. 1 fired a 65 — his best round at Augusta — to get within four shots and re-enter the title conversation.
Further back, Patrick Reed, Patrick Cantlay and Li Haotong remain within striking distance in a tightly packed leaderboard.
Aaron Rai slipped down the standings after a 78, while Akshay Bhatia had already exited following a missed cut.
With nine players within five shots, the Masters is set for a wide-open finish — a final round where momentum, not position, may decide the champion.
Photo – PGA Tour
