The Masters: Rory McIlroy leads Bryson DeChambeau to close in on career grand slam

The Masters 2025: Rory McIlroy takes a two-shot lead over LIV Golf's Bryson DeChambeau heading into the final round at Augusta National.

Rory McIlroy is closing in on the career grand slam after surging into a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau on day three at The Masters.

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McIlroy, 35, started Saturday's third round two shots off the pace but he soon raced to the front when playing the first three holes in 4-under par.

The World No.2 drained a 12-footer for birdie at the par- 4 1st, chipped in for eagle on the par-5 2nd and then knocked down an eight-footer for birdie on the par-4 3rd.

McIlroy then sent home another birdie from 20 feet at the tough par-4 5th before tucking away a seven-footer for par on the par-3 6th, which saw him become the first player in Masters history to start a round with six consecutive threes on the card.

But he would carelessly hand back a shot at the par-5 8th when finding trouble off the tee, and then another went when three-putting from 50 feet at the 10th.

McIlroy steadied the ship with pars at 11 and 12, but he would restore his two-shot lead when getting up and down for birdie at the par-5 13th.

The Ulsterman made par at 14 and he then slammed home a second eagle of the day from eight feet at the par-5 15th to move into a four-shot lead.

Eagle on No. 15 launches Rory McIlroy into a four-shot lead. #themasters pic.twitter.com/ri6fA5yO7O
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2025

But LIV Golf superstar Bryson DeChambeau trimmed the deficit to two shots late in the day with three birdies on the last four holes to card a 69.

DeChambeau made a stunning birdie putt from some 40 feet on 18 that brought the patrons to their knees.

McIlroy made pars to the house to fire a second consecutive round of 66 and he finds himself at 12-under par for 54 holes and two shots clear of DeChambeau heading into Sunday's final round.

It marks McIlroy's first 54-hole lead at a major since 2014.

Rory McIlroy vs Bryson DeChambeau for The Masters 🍿 who takes home the Green Jacket? 🤔
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) April 12, 2025

McIlroy needs to win The Masters on Sunday to become just the sixth player in the modern era to complete the career grand slam.

The Northern Irishman is looking to join golf legends Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in the record books.

McIlroy has not won a major since the 2014 US PGA.

Meanwhile, DeChambeau is going in search of a third career major and first Masters.

Related:

Masters Final Round Tee Times

The final-round showdown between McIlroy and DeChambeau is a replica of the 2024 U.S. Open where the LIV Golf superstar pipped the PGA Tour superstar to a second U.S. Open title last summer, albeit they weren't paired together that time around.

Elsewhere on day three at The Masters, Canada's Corey Conners played alongside McIlroy and went round in 70 to nudge himself up to 8-under par in solo third.

Patrick Reed and Ludvig Aberg also pushed themselves up into the top five but they lie six shots behind McIlroy entering Sunday.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler had a third round to forget though and went round in 72 to remain 5-under par, which is just inside the top 10.

Here's a look at the leading contenders heading into Sunday at The Masters:

Masters Third Round Leaderboard Latest
1	Rory McIlroy	-12	F
2	Bryson DeChambeau	-10	F
3	Corey Conners	-8	F
T4	Patrick Reed	-6	F
T4	Ludvig Aberg	-6	F
T6	Jason Day	-5	F
T6	Scottie Scheffler	-5	F
T6	Shane Lowry	-5	F
T6	Justin Rose	-5	F

Scroll down this page for live updates from the third round of The Masters.

Andy Roberts

12 Apr 2025