ESPN staffApr 11, 2026, 06:28 PM ET
The 90th edition of the Masters Tournament continues Saturday, with Rory McIlroy being sorely challenged after a legendary second round.
The 2025 champion's title defense could not have gone better Friday. He closed the second round with a 7-under 65, putting him six shots ahead of the field heading into the third round. That's the largest lead any golfer has taken into the Masters on Saturday. McIlroy's competition has stepped up their collective games, however, and Cameron Young moved ahead of McIlroy on the back nine. McIlroy didn't give up, however, and reclaimed the lead on the 15th hole.
Who will be on top when the sun sets at Augusta on Saturday? Here are the top sights and sounds from the third round of the Masters.
Rory reclaims the lead
The lead belongs once again to the defending champion. #themasters pic.twitter.com/wZizy95Ozo
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Rory back in a tie for first
Rory McIlroy regains a share of the lead. #themasters pic.twitter.com/aMIYMLQZq1
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Burns and Rory tied for second
With a birdie on No. 13, Sam Burns moves into a tie for second place. #themasters pic.twitter.com/4HkuBz7OD7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Young moves into first
Cameron Young birdies No. 16 to reach 11 under par. #themasters pic.twitter.com/5j8NQ13Jt8
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Good start for Rory on the back nine
Rory McIlroy starts the second nine with a birdie. #themasters pic.twitter.com/KmjckDI2wX
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Young's on fire in the third round
Cameron Young moves into solo second. #themasters pic.twitter.com/4DR4yubinz
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026One off the lead. #themasters pic.twitter.com/is7C59W2Ea
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Lowry challenging for the lead
Shane Lowry birdies No. 10 after his approach scares the hole. #themasters pic.twitter.com/4vW0cZmDs5
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Young stays strong with a birdie
From the fairway to eight feet, Cameron Young birdies No. 10. #themasters pic.twitter.com/nZVq4fSOtP
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Scheffler is dominating on Saturday
Scottie Scheffler moves to seven under par with a birdie on No. 16. #themasters pic.twitter.com/wvTvdpfMbw
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Li is in second with an eagle
From distance, Haotong Li's approach into No. 8 sets up an eagle. Today, he is 5 under par through 8 holes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/zfbFMPCqRp
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Lowry dunks it
Needing one stroke on No. 6, Shane Lowry cards an ace. #themasters pic.twitter.com/SAr9uy2KBs
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Rory getting his groove back
A bounce-back birdie for Rory on No. 3. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Fx7Ne9KIgL
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Reed steadily gaining on McIlroy
Birdie on No. 3. Patrick Reed moves within two of the lead. #themasters pic.twitter.com/V8mz42AAbD
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Burns challenging for the lead
Sam Burns moving up the leader board quickly after his birdie on No. 2. #themasters pic.twitter.com/2R6dP4e0Np
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Clark moves up to T-5 with an eagle
A 330-yard drive. A five-foot putt. One eagle for Wyndham Clark. #themasters pic.twitter.com/DdL7EjHg98
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Scheffler is 6 under on the day so far
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026That's a birdie for Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler closes the first nine with a birdie and leaps into the top five. #themasters pic.twitter.com/WkgpegxMnA
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Chris Gotterup from 227 feet out
From 227 yards to eight feet. Eagle for Chris Gotterup on No. 2. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Kz4zrADtSQ
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Sepp Straka's shot hops around into a birdie
Sepp Straka's approach into No. 10 dances around the hole, leading to a birdie. #themasters pic.twitter.com/ixgL3njnvA
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026Scottie Scheffler getting things started with an eagle
Scottie Scheffler's aggressive approach into No. 2 sets up an eagle. #themasters pic.twitter.com/riWJ4KB0FK
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
