US Masters 2026: Rory McIlroy falters - Cameron Young storms to the top

Augusta National has struck again: on "Moving Day" of the US Masters 2026, defending champion Rory McIlroy's historic lead melted away in the spring sunshine of Georgia. While the Northern Irishman hit heavy shots at the legendary Amen Corner, Cameron Young set off on a record run. The final now promises to be one of the most exciting showdowns in the history of the tournament.

Find the US Masters 2026 leaderboard and live scoring here.

The end of the procession: McIlroy's nightmare at Amen Corner

After two days of pure dominance at the US Masters 2026, it looked as if Rory McIlroy could only beat himself. Starting Saturday with a record six-shot lead, the dream of successfully defending his title initially seemed like a mere formality. But Augusta National Golf Club does not forgive carelessness.

The façade crumbled on the first few holes before McIlroy lost control in the infamous Amen Corner. A stray approach shot on 11 landed in the water and led to a momentous double bogey. Just one hole later, at the picturesque Par-3 12th, the next shot was lost. However, McIlroy's biggest weakness on the day was his Driver: statistically, he hit the fewest Fairways of all the players who made the cut. In the end, he struggled to save a round of 73 (+1) in the clubhouse, completely losing his comfortable lead.

You can find the US Masters 2026 Tee Times here.

The chaser of the day: Cameron Young's historic storming run

While McIlroy struggled, Cameron Young wrote his own chapter for the US Masters 2026 history books, starting the day eight shots off the lead - a distance normally considered difficult to make up at Augusta on Saturday. But Young, who has been playing like he's been unleashed since his bumpy start on Thursday, made up the deficit with a brilliant 65 (-7).

Young not only benefited from his enormous hitting power, but also from the necessary luck of the brave. Several times his balls bounced off trees or even the leg of a spectator's chair back into a playable position. With his mental strength and an impressive series of Birdies on the back nine, he drew level with McIlroy. Both now lead the field with a total of 11 under Par.

Magical moments: an ace for eternity

Away from the duel at the top, Shane Lowry provided the emotional highlight of the US Masters 2026. On the sixth hole (Par 3), the Irishman made a hole-in-one with a perfectly hit 7 Iron. Lowry thus became the first player in the history of the Masters to make two aces in the course of his career at Augusta. This magical moment catapulted him back into the circle of favorites; only two shots behind the leaders, he lurks in fourth place.

Watch the video of Shane Lowry's hole-in-one at the US Masters 2026 here.

The field is closing in: A leaderboard of giants

The relatively soft conditions on the greens resulted in the lowest average score for a third round in the history of the tournament. This made the field at the 2026 US Masters extremely tight:

• Sam Burns (-10): Stays hot on the heels of the outright leader with a stoic round of 68.
• Scottie Scheffler (-7): The world number one underlined his ambitions with a 65. Despite a few missed chances on the final holes, he is only four shots behind.
• Patrick Cantlay (-6): After a disastrous start on Thursday, he became the first professional in years to play two consecutive Bogey-free rounds.

Outlook: A history-making Sunday at the US Masters 2026

The starting position for the final Sunday reminds experts of 1975, when Jack Nicklaus also squandered a big lead on Saturday only to triumph in a heroic final on Sunday.

Can Rory McIlroy overcome his driving problems in time and shake off his physical exhaustion? Or will Cameron Young continue his winning run from the Players Championship straight to the first Green? One thing is certain: at the US Masters 2026, the time for going it alone is over - it's time for a real thriller.