Rory McIlroy's verdict after blowing six-shot lead at The Masters

Defending champion Rory McIlroy says he's not worried despite losing his huge lead at the 2026 Masters. 

The Northern Irishman came into moving day at the first men's major of the year with a six-shot advantage after lighting up Augusta National late on Friday afternoon. 

But McIlroy, who is hoping to become just the fourth player after Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Sir Nick Faldo to defend the green jacket, fell behind after dropping three shots at Amen Corner. 

In the end, McIlroy's one-over 73 left him tied for the lead with America's Cameron Young.

Young, 28, mixed eight birdies and one bogey for a scintillating seven-under 65 to ensure his first final round pairing in a major championship. 

McIlroy and Young will also have to face challenges from Sam Burns, Shane Lowry, Jason Day and last year's runner-up Justin Rose. 

World number one and pre-tournament favourite Scottie Scheffler is also not out of contention after vaulting up the leaderboard with a 65 to join China's Haotong Li on seven-under. 

Former Masters champion, Patrick Reed, is among a group of three players one shot adrift of Scheffler and Li. 

McIlroy told reporters before a late evening range session that he was just trying to look at the positives. 

"I'd like to think that I'll play a little bit freer," McIlroy said when asked how he feels compared to 12 months ago when he was primed for a showdown with rival Bryson DeChambeau. 

"I'll play, you know, like I've already got a green jacket, which I do. 

"Sometimes I maybe just have to remind myself of that, but I think as well that the stakes in terms of, like, the pairing will be just a little bit easier. You know, the atmosphere out there will be a little bit easier.

"Yeah, I'm not worried about that at all. I wish I was a few shots better off, but I'm comfortable. 

"I played with Cam the first two days. Playing with him again tomorrow. I think it's a comfortable group for both of us."

McIlroy's day got off to the worst possible start with a dropped shot at the first hole. 

He did not take advantage at the par-five second but put the first circle on his card after driving the green at the third. 

McIlroy scrambled to save his par from the greenside bunker at the fourth and walked away with an easy par at the fifth. 

A wild tee shot went left at the par-three sixth but McIlroy played a beautiful chip to five feet and held his nerve. 

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Again, McIlroy couldn't find the fairway at the eighth and walked off the par-five with another par. 

He converted a birdie putt at the 10th from six feet but made his first double-bogey of the week at the 11th after finding the water with his approach. 

Perhaps with his head scrambled, McIlroy's tee shot sailed the green at the iconic par-three 12th and it led to another dropped shot. 

A birdie putt from 19 feet dropped at the 14th to stop the bleeding. At the 15th, McIlroy resurrected memories of his otherworldly approach last April by hooking a 7-iron around the trees. 

The eagle putt did not drop, though. 

He walked off the 16th with a safe par but dropped another shot at the next after hitting his tee shot in the left trees. 

McIlroy had a chance to take the lead into Sunday but his birdie putt at the last, from 22 feet, just curved to the right at the last minute. 

"I have to look at the positives even though there isn't that many to take today," McIlroy added. 

"But I did bounce back. I hit some good shots coming in.

"I'm in a great position. I just know I need to be better tomorrow to have a chance."

For Young, the fact he is playing in the final pairing of the 2026 Masters is not a hugely surprising. 

He proved his metal last September at the Ryder Cup and was the top points scorer for the United States team. 

In March, he captured the biggest victory of his career to date by pipping Matthew Fitzpatrick down the stretch at TPC Sawgrass to win the Players. 

The victory lifted him to a career-high third in the world rankings. 

Asked what victory would mean to him, Young said: "It's something I've dreamed of doing for a long time. I like the position I'm in.

"If you had said on Thursday at about noon that I was going to be within a couple of the lead going into Sunday, I would have taken it in a heartbeat, especially given the fact that I was watching Rory play.

"Any time you're around the lead in a major, especially here, anything can happen. 

"We saw today a slow start and a hot start can erase a lot. 

"It's just kind of a matter of keeping myself in it tomorrow and doing the best I can to stay around the lead for as long as possible, and you see what happens at the end."

McIlroy and Young will tee off at 2.25pm local time (19.25 BST).