Rory McIlroy has work to do if he is to retain his Masters title after posting a one-over par 73 on Saturday at Augusta Natioal

Rory McIlroy admitted he ‘didn’t quite have it’ on Saturday as he surrendered his six-shot lead at the top of the Masters leaderboard.

The reigning champion went into moving day on 12-under par and with his advantage over the rest of the field the biggest in Masters history after 36 holes.

However, while his rivals made their move to put themselves back into contention for the coveted green jacket, McIlroy found himself stuck in second gear as he posted a one-over par score of 73.

That totally eradicated his advantage. And while he remains in pole position, the Ulsterman suddenly finds himself joint-leader alongside Cam Young on 11-under and with just a one shot advantage over Sam Burns (-10).

Shane Lowry is a shot further back on -9, Jason Day and Justin Rose are on eight-under, while Scottie Scheffler’s seven-under par 65 on Saturday has him on -7.

To rectify the issues that were on display on Saturday, including a double bogey on 11, plus bogeys at 1, 12 and 17, McIlroy went straight to the driving range in an attempt to find solutions.

That came after he admitted something just didn’t feel right for him on day three at The Masters.

‘Yeah, I didn't quite have it today,’ said McIlroy. ‘Even just starting at the first hole with that soft bogey, even though I hit a pretty good drive.

‘I mean, the course was obviously gettable. There was a lot of good scores out there, and obviously the quality of the chasing pack is obvious. There was a lot of guys that shot good scores.

‘I hit some quality shots, but then I hit some pure ones. The iron swing on the sixth hole, missing that green left. You know, the iron swing on 12, missing that green left.

‘There was just a couple where I had maybe awkward numbers or trying to take a little bit off and I missed those ones left. So something to maybe go and work on tonight and, again, try to figure that out.’

Despite a trying day on Saturday, McIlroy was remaining positive. And he took solace in the fact he responded with birdies at 14 and 15 after dropping three shots around Amen Corner, including a double bogey at the par-four 11th.

‘I have to look at the positives even though there isn't that many to take today,’ he said.

‘But I did bounce back. I hit some good shots coming in.

‘But yeah, I'm in a great position. I just know I need to be better tomorrow to have a chance.

‘I wish I was a few shots better off, but I'm comfortable. I played with Cam the first two days. Playing with him again tomorrow. I think it's a comfortable group for both of us.’

McIlroy and Young tee off together as the final group at 2.25pm (7.25pm BST) on Sunday.

For your next Rory McIlroy read: Comment: Rory McIlroy's swing and a miss Saturday at the Masters gives him work to do to retain green jacket