Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy will take a four-shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the Masters after carding a two-under 70 on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who is hoping to become the 10th Masters champion who has shared the lead or been in the lead in all rounds, is on 12-under for the tournament and leads a group of four players who are on eight-under.
McIlroy said that he did not want to think about winning. “I do not want to get ahead of myself. I am very much looking forward to the challenge, but four shots on this course is not a lot.” Australian Jason Day, who was playing with McIlroy and was two shots behind at the start of the third round at the Augusta National Golf Club, took over the lead on the fourth hole as he was on 11-under, while McIlroy was on 10-under.
But while Day dropped a shot on the last four holes, McIlroy managed two birdies. Day finished on par 72 to share second place on eight-under with Argentine Angel Cabrera, South African Charl Schwartzel and KJ Choi.
Day said there was a lot of pressure on the chasing pack. “We have to try to make a few birdies and put Rory under pressure and then hopefully we can come back.” Four-time Masters champion Tiger Woods, who looked as if he was storming back into contention in the second round, had a disappointing afternoon with the putter, missing several excellent birdie opportunities.
He had four bogies in his round of two-over 74, which leaves him tied in ninth four-under for the tournament, but more importantly -- eight behind McIlroy.
Woods has never won a major coming from behind on the last day.
Australian Adam Scott and Luke Donald are tied on sixth seven-under for the tournament.
Schwartzel, who played a four-under for the day, said that he enjoyed his round. “It helped playing with Lee Westwood and we were under the radar for much of the afternoon that also made it easier.
“I kept hitting good shots and got myself in a good position.” The South African said he would have preferred to be in the lead ahead of the final round. “But I have also won tournament coming from behind.
“However, Rory looks very relaxed and he seems to be cruising. To stand a chance, I will have to put together a good round well under par,” he said.
Cabrera, who is the only one in the leading pack to have won a major, said that for him his confidence was the key.
“I lacked the confidence the first two days, but today I had it. I am just practising a lot, so I am getting into the grove. I did not play golf for four months and sat out because a doctor told me to sit out with a tendinitis in the wrist.
“I would not have believed that I could be in contention ahead of the final round. If somebody had told me that I would be close to the top at the end of the third round, I would not have believed it. But now I feel I have a chance,” the 2009 Masters champion said.
