Rory McIlroy's commanding position at the Masters crumbled Saturday as he shot a one-over par 73, surrendering his six-stroke advantage and entering Sunday's final round deadlocked with Cameron Young atop the leaderboard.
The defending champion struggled visibly throughout the third round, unable to maintain the form that had built his commanding lead. McIlroy acknowledged the sharp drop in his game but expressed confidence heading into Monday's decisive 18 holes.
"I wish I was a few shots better off, but I'm comfortable," McIlroy said after the round. The 35-year-old plans to lean on his recent success at Augusta National, where he won last year's Green Jacket. That experience, he believes, will free him from the pressure that often weighs on contenders in the tournament's final day.
"I'd like to think that I'll play a little bit freer knowing I've already got a Green Jacket, which I do," McIlroy explained. "Sometimes I just have to remind myself of that. The pairing will be a little bit easier, and the atmosphere out there will be a little bit easier too."
McIlroy's collapse mirrored past Masters drama, where frontrunners have faltered under pressure down the stretch. Whether his mental approach and experience can stabilize his game remains the defining question as the tournament enters its climax. The tie with Young sets up a Sunday showdown between a defending champion seeking redemption and a challenger trying to claim his first major title.
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