Cam Young chases down Rory McIlroy to set up epic Masters Sunday

AUGUSTA, Ga.— This was a Masters moving day for the ages.The day began with Rory McIlroy, who’d built a tournament-record six-shot 36-hole lead that had him poised to run away and hide with his second green jacket in as many years.The day ended, after a dramatic action under abundant sunshine that firmed up the golf course to British Open bounciness, with Sunday’s final round poised to be an epic shootout among some of the world’s top players.McIlroy and Cam Young are tied for the lead at 11-under par entering the final round.Young is trying to become the third consecutive Players Championship winner to capture the Masters in the same year.

Scottie Scheffler did it in 2024, and McIlroy did it last year.“Really, what I was trying to do was get ready to be playing late on Sunday at Augusta,’’ Young said of his final round last month at TPC Sawgrass.“Now, I’m here with what will be a late tee time on Sunday at Augusta, and that’s the best prep I could have asked for.’’McIlroy stalled in the third round, failing to make any move as he shot a 1-over 73.Conversely, Young scorched the course with a 7-under 65 to force the tie.Sam Burns, who’s hovered around the top of the leaderboard all week, is one shot back at 10-under after shooting 68.Shane Lowry, boosted by a hole-in-one on the sixth hole, is two shots back at 9-under after he shot 68 on Saturday.Jason Day, who was paired with Young, shot 68 and is three off the lead at 8-under, along with Justin Rose, last year’s runner-up to McIlroy.Scottie Scheffler, who led the way shaking things up Saturday by posting an early 65, is 7-under par, as is Haotong Li.History shows that it’s a lot easier to chase than to be chased.A lot less stress for the chasers.

A lot more for the player being chased.This was the position those who were chasing McIlroy faced in Saturday’s third round.There was a sentiment on Friday night after McIlroy had taken that record lead through the first two rounds that he...