Nick Faldo says there are seven players who truly have a shot at Augusta’s title — and after a dramatic third round the question is very much alive: can Rory McIlroy be caught on Sunday? Six players sit within four shots of co-leaders McIlroy and Cameron Young; extend that window to six strokes and a dozen contenders remain within reach.
McIlroy came to the weekend holding a record six-shot 36-hole lead, but a one-over 73 on Saturday erased much of that advantage. He acknowledged the pack has closed in and that to hold off the challengers he’ll need cleaner tee shots and a better overall round. Still, when he finds his best ball-striking and short game, he’s one of the most complete players on the course.
Cameron Young has been the form player this week. After a rough opening, Young turned things around and posted a joint-low 65 on Saturday to share the lead. He’s played his last 54 holes superbly and arrives on Sunday with momentum and a proven ability to post low numbers under pressure.
Here are the seven contenders Faldo singled out, and why each matters:
Rory McIlroy (-11)
McIlroy lost the cushion he built through two rounds but still leads. His Saturday was untidy off the tee and included a bogey at the first, but his all-around game gives him the tools to defend if he irons out mistakes early.
Cameron Young (-11)
Young’s form and his round of 65 pushed him into a share of the lead. He recovered from a poor start Thursday and has been among the hottest players on the course since, making him a serious Sunday threat.
Sam Burns (-10)
A multiple PGA Tour winner with Ryder Cup experience, Burns produced a composed 68 on Saturday. He’s one shot back, has strong ball-striking and short-game skills, and will be relying on execution and a steady mind to handle major final-round pressure.
Shane Lowry (-9)
Lowry’s Saturday featured a hole-in-one at the par-3 sixth and a four-under 68 to move within two of the lead. A major champion and crafty shot-maker around Augusta, he brings creativity and confidence that can pay dividends on Sunday.
Jason Day (-8)
The former world No. 1 heated up late on Saturday, birdieing four straight on the back nine and finishing at eight under. Day showed the ability to go on a run and will look to replicate that momentum in the final groupings.
Justin Rose (-8)
Rose has been steady all week and famously shot a closing 66 last year to force a play-off. A three-time runner-up at Augusta, he knows how to concoct a big round and won’t be intimidated by the leaderboard.
Scottie Scheffler (-7)
World No. 1 Scheffler erupted with a 65 on Saturday — including an early eagle at the second — moving rapidly into contention. A two-time Masters champion, he has the capacity to go very low quickly and is dangerous when he’s rolling.
The makeup of the chase is varied: hot recent form, major pedigree, proven Augusta creativity and clutch finishing ability are all represented. McIlroy still wears a co-lead, but the combination of players jockeying behind him makes Sunday difficult to predict.
How to watch
Live final-round coverage begins at 4:30pm on Sky Sports Golf, with full coverage from 5:00pm. Extra Featured Group streams, including the Amen Corner feed, are available on Sky Sports+.