Rory McIlroy has acknowledged that he must elevate his performance if he is to successfully defend his Masters title on the final day, following a disappointing third round that saw him relinquish a six-shot lead. McIlroy now finds himself tied with Cameron Young at 11 under par, after a one-over par 73 on Saturday. The Northern Irish golfer struggled with his iron play, hitting just 10 of the 18 greens in regulation, and made three bogeys in addition to a double bogey at the 11th hole.
Despite his disappointing display, McIlroy remains optimistic about his chances, stating that he still has a 'great chance' of winning the tournament. He attributed his struggles to the strong competition, saying: 'I knew today wasn't going to be easy... I didn't quite have it today.' McIlroy's victory last year marked the end of an 11-year major drought for the golfer, and he is determined to repeat the feat. He believes that having won the Masters previously and playing in a different type of final group will aid his chances, saying: 'I'd like to think that I'll play a little bit freer and I'll play like I've already got a green jacket, which I do.' Sky Sports Golf's Rich Beem has expressed his confidence in McIlroy's ability to bounce back from his disappointment, citing the golfer's resilience and mindset as key factors in his success.