Rory McIlroy saw his six-shot overnight lead evaporate during a disastrous 45-minute spell at Amen Corner in the third round of the Masters. The defending champion entered the treacherous stretch at 13 under par, but exited it one behind Cameron Young after playing double bogey-bogey-par. He finished the day tied with Young on 11 under after a one-over 73.
The world number two's erratic driving continued, and his usually reliable iron play deserted him under pressure from Patrick Reed, Haotong Li, and Young. Young, who won the Players Championship last month, shot a seven-under 65 to take the lead, despite being eight shots off the pace at the start of the day.
McIlroy briefly regained the lead with a birdie at the 10th, but his momentum stalled when he found the water at the 11th and missed a short bogey putt. He then missed the green at the par-three 12th, while Young birdied the 16th to take a one-shot lead. McIlroy bounced back with a birdie at the 14th and nearly eagled the 15th, but another bogey at the 17th left him tied.
Shane Lowry became the first player to record two holes-in-one at the Masters, acing the sixth after his first at the 16th in 2016. He finished nine under, two ahead of two-time champion Scottie Scheffler, who shot a career-low 65. Justin Rose, last year's runner-up, is three behind on eight under after a 69.
