Rory McIlroy aims to adopt a relaxed mindset during the final round of the Masters, although the reigning champion acknowledges that significant improvement is necessary following his third-round performance to maintain possession of the Green Jacket. After experiencing a dramatic loss of his six-stroke advantage on Saturday, McIlroy will enter the fourth round in a tie with Cameron Young at the top of the leaderboard. His round of one-over par 73 was not reflective of his usual form.
The Northern Irish golfer can draw inspiration from his victory in 2025 at the same course. “I hope to play a bit more freely, almost as if I’ve already won a Green Jacket, which I have,” McIlroy remarked. “Sometimes, I just need to remind myself of that. The pairing will feel a bit more comfortable, and the atmosphere will likely be more relaxed.”
McIlroy expressed confidence despite his current position, stating, “I’m not concerned about that at all. While I would prefer to be in a better position, I feel at ease. I played with Cam during the first two rounds, and playing with him again tomorrow should be comfortable for both of us.” He also noted, “I’m still tied for the best score heading into tomorrow, so I must remember that, but I recognize that I’ll need to perform better to have a chance at winning.”
Immediately after fulfilling his media obligations, McIlroy headed to the driving range at Augusta National to work on his swing, having noticed inconsistencies during his third round that led to shots going both left and right. “There’s a long way to go,” he stated. “This course can be challenging when you’re not feeling your best. I had to dig deep, especially on the front nine, and I made several important par saves. I understand I need to improve tomorrow to be competitive.” He added, “For me, it’s about ensuring my lower body is engaged. If I can keep my lower body moving through impact, that should help correct my swing.”
Cameron Young, who posted an impressive third-round score of 65, is hoping to replicate McIlroy’s recent success by winning both the Players Championship and the Masters within a short time frame. However, Young downplayed the relevance of this potential achievement. “That guarantees me nothing moving forward,” he emphasized. “I don’t feel entitled to anything. My past performances do not determine my outcome tomorrow.” He concluded, “While I acknowledge the positives from those events, I must earn anything I achieve tomorrow, and the best approach is to tackle the day as I have in the past three rounds.”
