Additional Coverage:
Rory McIlroy still holds a slim edge as the favorite to win the 2026 Masters, despite a challenging third round at Augusta National that has tightened the competition heading into Sunday’s final round.
The Northern Irish star entered Saturday with a commanding six-shot lead, having secured his first Green Jacket last year to complete the career Grand Slam. But McIlroy stumbled on the weekend, carding a 73 that saw him lose his advantage and fall into a tie with rising contender Cameron Young.
Reflecting on his round, McIlroy told Sky Sports, “I would have wanted to be in a better position going into tomorrow, starting with a six-shot lead, but I still have a great chance. I’m in the final group, which is exactly where you want to be.”
Acknowledging the need for improvement, he added, “I wish I had a little bit more of a cushion, but I’m going to the range here and try to figure it out. I’ll need to be better tomorrow.
If I’m going to win, I have to be better than I was today.”
Despite the setback, bookmakers still favor McIlroy to retain his title, with BetMGM listing him at +150 odds. Cameron Young is close behind at +250, while Sam Burns and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler stand further back at +700 and +1000, respectively.
Young remains unfazed by the pressure of potentially claiming his first major championship. “You’re going to hit a bad shot or two,” he said.
“The ability to just swallow it and move on and hit your next shot is crucial. Augusta really punishes you if you play angry or impatient.”
He emphasized the importance of emotional control, noting that frustration can negatively impact decision-making and execution.
“We saw today how a slow start or a hot start can change everything,” Young continued. “It’s about keeping myself in it tomorrow and staying close to the lead for as long as possible. Then we’ll see what happens at the end.”
With both players poised for a dramatic Sunday showdown, the final round at Augusta promises an exciting conclusion to the 2026 Masters.