McIlroy Tied for Masters Lead After Third-Round Struggles

Rory McIlroy, the defending Masters champion, enters the final round tied for the lead at 11 under par after watching his six-shot advantage disappear during a challenging third round at Augusta National on Saturday.

The Northern Irishman, who began the day at 12 under following the largest 36-hole lead in tournament history, carded a one-over-par 73 that included several setbacks. His troubles intensified around Amen Corner, the notoriously difficult stretch encompassing holes 11 through 13. McIlroy entered that section three shots ahead of the field but emerged two strokes behind after a double bogey on the par-3 11th, where he pulled a seven-iron approach into the water, followed by a bogey on the par-3 12th after missing the green and a par on the par-5 13th following a drive into the trees.

Earlier, McIlroy bogeyed the first hole despite a solid drive and birdied the par-4 third after driving the green. He added a birdie at the 10th, but missed opportunities on the eighth and ninth contributed to his struggles. He rallied with birdies on the 14th and 15th before closing with a bogey on the 17th. Throughout the round, McIlroy battled inconsistencies off the tee, with shots...