Rory McIlroy loses share of the lead in the early stages of final Masters round

By Carl Markham, Press Association, Augusta

Rory McIlroy began the final-round defence of his Masters title displaying a greater degree of control than he had during Saturday’s erratic surrendering of a six-shot lead but still found himself behind after just two holes.

A decent drive and approach set up an 11-foot birdie chance at the first which he failed to take and by the time he teed off on the second, the shadow of two-time champion Scottie Scheffler was already looming after the world number one birdied the second and third to move to nine under.

Sand off the tee forced McIlroy to lay up but he missed a curling birdie putt moments after playing partner Cameron Young had holed his to get to 12 under and take the outright lead.

Cameron Young birdies No. 2 to take the solo lead. #themasters pic.twitter.com/358CyF2aWT

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2026

Justin Rose, who lost last year’s play-off to McIlroy, chipped in from the fringe at the first to get to nine under alongside Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry, who started bogey-birdie, however, the Englishman bogeyed the third to drop back to eight under.

Sam Burns had briefly tied the lead on 11 under after birdieing the first but drove into the trees at the next from where he double-bogeyed.

When the American left his second in a bunker at the third he dropped to seven under and suddenly four off the lead, having started the afternoon just one behind.

An up-and-down birdie on No. 3 propels Scheffler up the leader board. #themasters pic.twitter.com/lfkBT50Nhu

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2026

Earlier in the day, Viktor Hovland had seven birdies through the first 13 holes and was potentially eyeing equalling a course-record 63 but a double bogey at the 15th ended those hopes and a birdie-bogey finish saw him sign for a 67.

Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia was given a code of conduct warning for hammering the turf and smashing his driver on the second tee on his way to a 75 to finish eight over.