It is fair to say that when you watch Rory McIlroy navigate his way around a golf course, you feel all the emotion from sheer delight to agonising pain and everything else inbetween.

At the halfway stage at this week’s Masters, it was certainly sheer delight as Holywood native McIlroy soared six shots clear at the top of the leaderboard for the biggest 36-hole lead in the tournament’s history.

However, as we all know, McIlroy doesn’t seem to do things the easy way and Saturday’s third round was a difficult watch as trouble from the tee means he now shares the lead ahead of Sunday’s final round, which will be concluded after the News Letter goes to print.

McIlroy is box office drama whether you’re out on the course or watching on the TV and he has a way of taking you on his journey with him.

placeholder image — Rory McIlroy sits with his daughter Poppy during the Par Three Contest prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament

One of his biggest fans is Carl Laverty, who is a member at Portstewart Golf Club and he admits McIlroy has been “a strange watch” this week despite being at the top end of the leaderboard.

He explained: “Rory has been at the top of the leaderboard for pretty much the entire three days but he isn’t playing anywhere near his best.

"His driving from the tee is usually the best part of his game but he has really struggled with that this week.

"I thought on Saturday that he should have tried to play steady golf and earn gains on the par 5s...but it’s easy for me to say that sitting here.

"He’s almost playing himself out of winning it and you could almost say the pressure got to him on Saturday but you certainly can’t rule him out in the final round.”

McIlroy arrived at Augusta earlier than usual to perform a number of ceremonial duties as returning champion – including his champions’ dinner – before showing his light-hearted and family nature by competing in the annual par 3 competition with his daughter Poppy.

However, on the course, the Northern Irishman had very little preparation heading into Augusta National due to a back problem which saw him withdraw from the recent Arnold Palmer Invitational.

"Rory has had a lot of commitments but strangely enough having the injury has probably freed up a bit more of his time,” Carl added.

"A lot has been made about what could motivate Rory now that he has won everything but his caddie and best friend Harry Diamond hasn’t been on the bag for four out of his five major wins, so that would be a fantastic feat for them both to achieve together.

"Rory is one of our own and it’s amazing what his achievements have done for Northern Ireland.

"My mum doesn’t even play golf but she is hooked when it comes to watching Rory after last year’s Masters win…although she wasn’t too happy with some of his shots on Saturday.

"I’ve played golf twice this week and all people have talked about is Rory and whether or not he can win the green jacket for a second time.”