During the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National, CBS commentator Jim Nantz aptly described Rory McIlroy's performance as "out of his mind." The Northern Irish golfer quickly seized sole possession of the lead and never looked back. McIlroy kicked off the round with an impressive birdie, followed by an eagle and another birdie on the first three holes, surpassing Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose to take the lead.
McIlroy's stellar play didn't stop there; he made Masters history by becoming the first golfer ever to start a round with five consecutive threes, as noted by the PGA Tour. After paring the sixth hole, he made it six straight before a par on the seventh ended the streak. Reflecting on his exceptional start, McIlroy told reporters, "It was such a great way to start... there’s a lot of anticipation and sort of anxious energy that builds up. You just want to get out there and play."
After a rocky start in the first round, McIlroy rebounded impressively, tying for third place on the leaderboard by the end of the second round, just two strokes behind Rose. With his sights set on capturing his first iconic green jacket and achieving a career grand slam, the four-time major winner understood that this was a critical moment in his career. Although he faced setbacks with bogeys on holes eight and ten, McIlroy's resilience shone through as he recorded his second eagle of the round, marking a first in his illustrious career at a major tournament.
By the end of Moving Day, McIlroy had shot a remarkable 6-under 66 for the second consecutive day, holding a two-stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau going into the final round.
It has been over 11 years since McIlroy last clinched a major title, and the Masters remains the only championship that has eluded him. Recently, McIlroy shared a touching moment when his daughter asked, "Daddy, are you famous?" He chuckled and replied, "It depends who you ask." If he secures a win on Sunday, his fame will be indisputable.
McIlroy expressed gratitude for the unwavering support he received from fans, describing it as "amazing." He noted, "These Patrons and these galleries are a pleasure to play in front of, each and every year we come back. They are some of the most knowledgeable golf Patrons or spectators that we play in front of." As he prepares for the final round, he anticipates a lively atmosphere, saying, "Tomorrow in that final group is going to be – it’s going to be a little rowdy and a little loud."
If McIlroy triumphs, he will become only the sixth player to achieve the modern career grand slam, joining legends such as Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. McIlroy, who has faced pressure in similar situations before—most notably in 2011 when he had a four-stroke lead—remains focused. Recalling that experience, he said, "That was 14 years ago... I’m glad I have a short memory." Unfortunately, that day ended in one of the most notorious meltdowns in tournament history, as he finished tied for 15th place.
As the Masters Sunday approaches, golf enthusiasts are eager for a thrilling showdown between McIlroy and DeChambeau. The 31-year-old LIV golfer initially struggled, bogeying three times over ten holes after starting with two birdies. However, he rallied with three birdies in the final four holes, including a dramatic long birdie putt on the 18th that electrified the crowd. DeChambeau finished the day with a score of 3-under 69, placing him at 10-under for the tournament.
With both players now in a familiar position—competing for a major title—DeChambeau highlighted the significance of their rivalry, calling Sunday’s matchup the “grandest stage.” He acknowledged, "We both want to win really, really badly... It’s about who can control themselves and who can execute the golf shots the best." As they prepare to tee off together at 2:30 p.m. ET, the stakes couldn't be higher, with McIlroy aiming for his first Masters win and DeChambeau looking to defend his title. Canadian Corey Conners trails in third place, four strokes behind, while world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler finds himself in need of a miracle at 5-under par.
