Augusta, GA - April 12, 2025 - Rory McIlroy etched his name in Masters history on Saturday with an unprecedented six consecutive scores of 3 to begin his third round, catapulting him to the top of the leaderboard at Augusta National and positioning him just 18 holes away from completing golf's coveted career Grand Slam.
The Northern Irishman fired a 6-under-par 66 to reach 12-under for the tournament, establishing a three-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round. For McIlroy, who has famously never won at Augusta despite multiple near misses, this could finally be the year he dons the elusive Green Jacket.
Historic Opening Stretch Stuns Augusta Crowd
McIlroy's third round began with a performance never before seen in the 89-year history of the Masters. He became the first golfer ever to start a round with five consecutive scores of 3, a record he extended to six straight before the streak finally ended on the par-four seventh hole.
"He did it, what a start," exclaimed Sky Sports commentator Butch Harmon after witnessing McIlroy chip in from 18 yards for eagle on the par-five second hole. "Is this Disneyland or is this golf?"
The record-breaking sequence began with a mammoth 371-yard drive on the opening hole, setting up a birdie. On the second hole, McIlroy produced magic with his eagle chip-in, followed by another birdie on the third when he drained a seven-foot putt. The historic run continued through the sixth hole, where he nailed a lengthy par putt to extend the unprecedented streak to six consecutive 3s.
From Heartbreak to History: McIlroy's Masters Journey
McIlroy's relationship with Augusta National has been complicated. Despite being one of the world's premier golfers with four major championships to his name, the Masters has remained frustratingly out of reach.
His most infamous Masters moment came in 2011, when as a 21-year-old, he held a four-shot lead heading into the final round before a dramatic collapse, including a triple-bogey on the 10th hole, resulted in a tie for 15th place.
In 2022, he came closest to victory, finishing runner-up after a spectacular final-round 64 that included a chip-in birdie at the 10th, an eagle at the 13th, and a dramatic bunker shot on the 18th that sent roars throughout Augusta National. Despite his heroics, he fell three shots short of Scottie Scheffler.
"This is the best position he's been in through 36 holes since 2016," noted golf analyst Tom Jenkins before Saturday's historic performance. "And now with this third-round surge, he's in an even stronger position."
Momentum Shifts and Recovery
Despite his blistering start, McIlroy's round wasn't without challenges. His momentum briefly stalled with bogeys on the eighth and tenth holes, momentarily threatening to derail his historic day.
However, in a display of the mental fortitude that has defined his recent play, McIlroy rebounded strongly. He capitalized on the par-5 13th with a birdie and later recorded his second eagle of the day on the 15th hole, extending his overall tournament lead to three strokes.
"What we're seeing is a more mature McIlroy, one who doesn't let setbacks affect the rest of his round," said former PGA Tour professional Mark Williams. "That's the difference between the Rory of old and the one we're watching today."
Career Grand Slam Within Reach
A victory on Sunday would make McIlroy just the sixth golfer in history to complete the career Grand Slam, joining the elite company of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
Since winning his last major at the 2014 PGA Championship, completing the career Grand Slam at Augusta has been McIlroy's most elusive goal. He has won the U.S. Open (2011), the PGA Championship (2012, 2014), and The Open Championship (2014) – missing only the Masters from his trophy case.
"The significance cannot be overstated," said golf historian Dr. Richard Thompson. "McIlroy has been chasing this for over a decade. To potentially seal it with such a historic performance would be poetic."
Leaderboard and Competition
McIlroy's 12-under-par total gives him a three-stroke cushion over his nearest competitors. After the second round, he had trailed Justin Rose and Bryson DeChambeau, but his exceptional third round has established him as the clear front-runner.
The Augusta National galleries have enthusiastically embraced McIlroy's pursuit of history, with roars echoing throughout the course after each of his remarkable shots during Saturday's round.
Sunday's Final Round Outlook
As McIlroy prepares for Sunday's final round, the weight of history looms large. Not only is he attempting to capture his first Masters title, but he's also looking to overcome the ghosts of his past disappointments at Augusta National.
Golf psychologist Dr. Amanda Wilson suggests that McIlroy's historic third round could provide the confidence boost needed for Sunday success: "Creating a new, positive Masters memory with this record-breaking performance may help overwrite those painful memories from previous tournaments."
Weather conditions are forecasted to be optimal for Sunday's final round, with light winds and temperatures in the mid-70s – perfect conditions for McIlroy to maintain his aggressive approach.
Conclusion
As the sun sets on Augusta National after an extraordinary moving day, all eyes turn to Sunday's final round. Will Rory McIlroy finally conquer Augusta and complete golf's career Grand Slam, or will the Masters continue to be his white whale? After Saturday's historic performance, golf fans around the world will be watching to see if McIlroy can translate his record-breaking play into a Green Jacket and sporting immortality.
Will McIlroy's six consecutive 3s be remembered as the turning point in his Masters journey, or simply another chapter in his complex relationship with golf's most prestigious tournament?
