Rory McIlroy looked ready to turn the Masters into a runaway. By late Saturday, Augusta National had other ideas.

What started as a golden chance for McIlroy to seize total control of the 2026 Masters turned into a nerve-rattling scramble, as the Northern Irish star stumbled to a 1-over 73 and watched a once-comfortable lead disappear. Now, instead of cruising into Sunday, McIlroy is locked in a tense tie for first at 11-under with Cameron Young, whose sizzling 65 flipped the tournament on its head.

That’s the thing about Augusta. It doesn’t care about momentum, narratives or what’s supposed to happen next.

McIlroy’s warning signs showed up fast. After beginning the day six shots clear, his cushion shrank in a hurry as his driver and irons started pulling him in opposite directions. He finished the round having hit just 21 of 42 fairways for the week, and on Saturday, he found only 10 of 18 greens in regulation. For a player trying to finish off a Masters title defense, those numbers are playing with fire.

The ugliest moment came at the par-4 11th. After getting a break off the tee, McIlroy followed it with a loose approach that found the water, leading to his first double bogey of the tournament. Suddenly, the chase pack wasn’t chasing anymore.

Young made sure of that. After an ugly start to the week, he’s been electric ever since, playing his last 45 holes in 15-under par to storm into the final pairing. What felt like McIlroy’s stage now feels like a straight-up fight.

Still, this thing isn’t lost for Rory. Not even close. He’s still tied for the lead and still in the final group. But the swagger of Friday has been replaced by questions, swing thoughts and late-range-session urgency.

Sunday at the Masters just got a lot more interesting.