Masters Win Up for Grabs as Seven Golfers Vie for the Top Spot

According to three-time Masters champion Sir Nick Faldo, seven golfers have a genuine chance of winning the Masters. This assessment comes as six players are within four shots of co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young. Expanding to six shots, the lead McIlroy lost on Saturday, reveals 12 players are within striking distance. Faldo noted, "Rory's game is a little inconsistent, as seen today. If he can correct it, he has a chance to do something special." Faldo also highlighted Cam Young, who has stormed through the week after a bad start, and Shane Lowry, who has a mission to win after last year's third runners-up finish. Other contenders include Jason Day, Justin Rose, and Scottie Scheffler, who Faldo considers a serious dangerman. McIlroy, the defending champion, appeared to be heading for a successful defense with a record 36-hole lead of six strokes. However, this was swiftly cut to two within a couple of holes as he bogeyed the first hole. McIlroy told Sky Sports, "I knew today wasn't going to be easy. The quality of the chasing pack was very obvious, and many guys played superb golf. I didn't quite have it today, but I still have a great chance." Young, the form man heading into Sunday, has been in excellent form since his big win at The Players. He was four over through the first seven holes of his opening round but has been 15 under par at Augusta National since then. Young said, "I like the position I'm in. If you had said on Thursday at noon that I was going to be within a couple of the lead going into Sunday, I would have taken it in a heartbeat." Sam Burns, who has won five times on the PGA Tour, is still a touch raw on the majors front but has twice featured for the USA in the Ryder Cup. Burns was in the final group with McIlroy on Saturday and shot 68 to eat into McIlroy's advantage, sitting just one back from the leaders. Lowry, a major winner, is looking to add a Green Jacket to his CV. He holed out at the par-three sixth tee, cueing memorable celebrations, and is nine under and only two off the lead. Lowry said, "You don't ever expect to make a hole-in-one. I just couldn't believe it. The walk down the sixth hole with everyone around was very special." Day, the former world No 1 and 2015 PGA champion, snuck onto the top page of the leaderboard with a late surge on Saturday. He was paired with Young and birdied four in a row to jump to nine under before giving one back with a bogey at 16. Day said, "You just got to try and get yourself the opportunity. If you can get somewhere close to the lead on the back side, anything can happen." Rose, who has been super steady and consistent through the first three rounds, is in the shake-up again. He has been in this position before, with three runners-up finishes at Augusta National. Rose said, "There's more guys to contend with now. Cam Young is playing great golf, and Sam Burns obviously played in the last group and stood up. Shane Lowry is a great shot-maker for this golf course. It's going to take a special round tomorrow, so there's a chance, which is great." Scheffler, the world No 1, came back with a bang on Saturday, carding the joint-lowest round of 65 along with Young to catapult himself into contention. He said, "I went out and executed to give myself some opportunities. More of that tomorrow, and I think I'll be in a good spot." Live coverage of the final round begins at 4:30 pm on Sunday on Sky Sports Golf, ahead of full coverage getting under way at 5 pm.