McIlroy Tied with Young After Historic Collapse at The Masters

Rory McIlroy's bid for a consecutive Masters title suffered a significant setback as he squandered a record six-shot lead, ending the day tied with Cameron Young. McIlroy, who began the weekend with the largest 36-hole lead in tournament history, saw his chances of emulating Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods as back-to-back champion severely dented on a dramatic Saturday at Augusta National. A slow start to his third round, coupled with a trio of dropped shots around Amen Corner, allowed Young to surge from eight strokes behind and claim the clubhouse lead with a stunning seven-under 65. McIlroy responded with consecutive birdies from the 14th but bogeyed his penultimate hole, leaving him level with Young on 11 under after a 73. Sam Burns is just a shot off the pace in third, ahead of Shane Lowry, who carded a hole-in-one during his 68 and is among eight players within four strokes of the lead. World No 1 Scottie Scheffler also revitalized his title hopes with a 65, matching Young's score. McIlroy's collapse began with a two-shot swing at the first, where he bogeyed as playing partner Burns birdied. Momentum shifted back in McIlroy's favor with a two-putt birdie at the third, only for him to struggle thereafter. Young, playing five groups ahead, reached the turn in 32 and started his back nine with a birdie, before McIlroy found water with his approach into the 11th and followed his first double-bogey of the week with another dropped shot at the 12th. Young took the outright lead for the first time with a 25-foot birdie at the 16th but McIlroy edged back ahead with back-to-back birdies from the 14th. However, a bogey at the 17th pulled him back alongside Young, setting up a thrilling finale on Sunday. "I'd have liked to be in a better position given my six-shot lead, but I still have a great chance," McIlroy reflected. "I'm in the final group, which is where you want to be. I wish I had a bit more of a cushion, but I'll need to be better tomorrow if I'm to win." Young's 65, which included eight birdies and a lone bogey, and Burns' blemish-free 68, have bolstered their hopes of a maiden major. Lowry, meanwhile, became the first player to post multiple aces at The Masters and is just two back. Live coverage of the final round begins at 4:30 pm on Sunday on Sky Sports Golf.