Rory McIlroy fell back to Earth at Augusta National, shooting a one-over 73 Saturday to end up tied for the lead at 11-under par with Cameron Young, who shot 65. Young started the day six groups and eight shots behind McIlroy, but carded eight birdies, including one on 16 after his only bogey of the day at the par-5 15th.
McIlroy bogeyed the first hole, but fought back to be 13-under before finding the water at the par-4 11th for a double bogey, then bogeyed 12, birdies at 14 and 15 had him back to level on the day at 12-under, but a bogey at 17 pushed him back to a tie with Young.
It's set up to be and exciting finish. Sam Burns, McIlroy's pairing partner Saturday,shot 68 to be one back, and Shane Lowry is at 9-under, in solo fourth. Jason Day and Justin Rose are three back at 8-under, and two-time champion Scottie Scheffler shot a 65 to have a fighting chance at 7-under.
My take: A bunch of great golfers in contention. Should be a great final round. The saying is the tournament doesn't truly begin until the back nine on Sunday. Somehow, every year except Tiger winning by a dozen shots in 1997), that saying holds true.
THE ASYLUM
Augusta bites back
Rory McIlroy fell back to Earth at Augusta National, shooting a one-over 73 Saturday to end up tied for the lead at 11-under par with Cameron Young, who shot 65. Young started the day six groups and eight shots behind McIlroy, but carded eight birdies, including one on 16 after his only bogey of the day at the par-5 15th.
McIlroy bogeyed the first hole, but fought back to be 13-under before finding the water at the par-4 11th for a double bogey, then bogeyed 12, birdies at 14 and 15 had him back to level on the day at 12-under, but a bogey at 17 pushed him back to a tie with Young.
It's set up to be and exciting finish. Sam Burns, McIlroy's pairing partner Saturday, shot 68 to be one back, and Shane Lowry is at 9-under, in solo fourth. Jason Day and Justin Rose are three back at 8-under, and two-time champion Scottie Scheffler shot a 65 to have a fighting chance at 7-under.
My take: A bunch of great golfers in contention. Should be a great final round. The saying is the tournament doesn't truly begin until the back nine on Sunday. Somehow, every year except Tiger winning by a dozen shots in 1997), that saying holds true.
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