Rory McIlroy loss of historic lead but avoids unwanted record to hit final day with Masters mission still in sight after high drama
Rory McIlroy started his third step towards a successful Masters title defence with a record-breaking lead but ended Augusta’s hoped-for stroll with a stuttering one-over-par 73.
However, he will step on to the final stage in pursuit of Georgia glory still in control as joint leader with Cameron Young – having managed to avoid an unwanted place in golf’s history books alongside his more positive records.
In 1920, Abe Mitchell’s Open lead after two rounds was six shots but then failed to maintain the upper hand entering the third.
A double bogey on the 11th followed by a bogey left McIlroy in danger of a repeat entry – only for back-to-back birdies then another bogey blemish to close out the round.
He opened Saturday with a bogey then recorded birdies on the third and 10th holes to finish his round on 11-under overall.
The notoriously-tricky Amen Corner stretch cost the Masters champion three shots and his tournament hold within a damaging 45-minute stretch on a day disrupted by driving issues.
McIlroy told Sky Sports: "I knew today wasn’t going to be easy.
"The quality of the chasing pack was very obvious, and a lot of the guys went out and played superb golf...I didn’t quite have it today.
"Even from the first hole, making that sort of soft bogey. I was doing my best to hang on. I scrambled a lot on the front nine.
"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.
"I wish I had a little bit more of a cushion, but I’m going to go to the range here and try to figure it out.
"It’s amazing (to have the opportunity). That was the goal coming in here.
"I still have a great chance but if I’m going to win tomorrow, I’m going to have to be a little bit better than I was today."