Rory McIlroy leads the Masters after historic round at Augusta

McIlroy surges to a two-shot lead at Augusta with record-breaking Saturday performance.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits a tee shot on the 17th hole during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2025. Photo by Kieran Cleeves/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Rory McIlroy leads the Masters after a thrilling and historic performance in Saturday’s third round at Augusta National, delivering a six-under-par 66 that included two eagles and four birdies to rise to the top of the leaderboard at 12-under overall. With this incredible effort, McIlroy moved one step closer to finally capturing the elusive green jacket and completing the career Grand Slam.

The Northern Irishman lit up the opening stretch of Augusta like never before, becoming the first player in tournament history to start a round with six straight scores of three. That electric start saw McIlroy surge ahead of overnight leader Justin Rose and US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who finished the day two shots behind after a strong close of his own.

McIlroy’s 66 was a masterclass in control, aggression, and resilience. He eagled both the par-five second and 15th holes, and his four birdies — including a remarkable 18-footer on the fifth — allowed him to overcome two mid-round bogeys and reassert his command late in the day. With 204 through three rounds, McIlroy now leads DeChambeau (206) by two, while Canada’s Corey Conners trails in solo third at 208.

A dream start at Augusta

After starting the day two shots back, Rory McIlroy wasted no time climbing the leaderboard. He opened with a booming drive and a ten-foot birdie on the first hole, then chipped in for eagle from 18 yards out on the second. Another birdie at the third had the galleries roaring, and when McIlroy rolled in a slick putt at the fifth, it was clear something special was happening.

By the time he reached the seventh, McIlroy had notched six consecutive threes — a feat never before seen at the Masters. He scrambled for par from the trees at seven, but the damage had already been done: McIlroy was now the man to catch.

“This was a dream start,” said McIlroy. “I was just trying to keep the momentum going, and the putts kept falling. I wasn’t thinking too much ahead.”

Mid-round test, late-round resolve

Despite his red-hot start, Augusta National offered its typical resistance as McIlroy reached the turn. A bogey at the eighth — caused by a tee shot that found the face of a fairway bunker — marked his first dropped shot since Thursday. He followed with another bogey at the 10th but kept his composure.

McIlroy steadied the ship with a par at 11, then regained his rhythm with a birdie on the par-five 13th. The defining moment came on 15, where a piercing iron shot landed just six feet from the flag. McIlroy coolly sank the eagle putt, restoring a four-shot cushion at the time and signaling his intent.

“That eagle was a momentum changer,” McIlroy said. “The course got tricky toward the end, and I knew I needed to stay patient. I’m proud of how I handled the back nine.”

DeChambeau finishes strong

Playing just ahead of McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau opened his round with promise, sinking a 35-foot birdie at the first and a two-putt birdie at the second. But while McIlroy soared, DeChambeau cooled, making pars through the middle stretch of the round.

Still, DeChambeau was not finished. He birdied three of the final four holes, including a brilliant near-50-foot putt from the fringe on 18, which earned roars from the crowd and tightened the margin to two.

“That’s what dreams are made of,” DeChambeau said. “To finish like that and put myself in the final group on Sunday — it’s all I could ask for.”

DeChambeau will now be paired with McIlroy in Sunday’s final group — a heavyweight showdown featuring two of golf’s most powerful players.

Conners stays in the hunt

Corey Conners, paired with McIlroy on Saturday, had a front-row seat to the fireworks. While he struggled to match the pace early, the Canadian found his rhythm on the back nine. Starting the day at six-under, Conners made birdies at eight, nine, and ten to climb into solo third.

Though he played the final eight holes in even par, Conners remains well within striking distance at eight-under. A maiden major title could be within reach if he can find a hot stretch early on Sunday.

“It was hard not to get caught up watching Rory,” Conners admitted. “He was playing incredible golf, but I was happy with how I kept my composure and stayed in it.”

Rose falters, Scheffler grinds

It was a tough day for Justin Rose, who began the third round in the lead but shot a disappointing 75 to fall back to five-under. His round included four bogeys and just one birdie as he struggled to maintain momentum.

Joining Rose at five-under are defending champion Scottie Scheffler, former PGA Champion Jason Day, and 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry. Scheffler carded an even-par 72 and admitted it felt like a grind from start to finish.

“I just couldn’t get anything going,” Scheffler said. “I felt like I was scrambling all day. Some days are like that out here.”

Scheffler, who was seeking to join a short list of back-to-back Masters champions, will now need a final-round miracle.

McIlroy on the brink of history

With his name atop the leaderboard and history within reach, Rory McIlroy is poised for the biggest Sunday of his career. A win would make him just the sixth player in golf history to complete the career Grand Slam — joining legends like Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.

Despite 24 career PGA Tour wins and four majors, McIlroy has famously come up short at Augusta, including a Sunday collapse in 2011 when he entered the final round with the lead.

“I’ve learned from every experience here,” McIlroy said. “All I can do is go out, play my game, and stay in the moment.”

On Sunday, all eyes will be on McIlroy as he attempts to finally conquer Augusta National and etch his name into golf’s most elite company.