Leading a golf tournament is not easy. But nothing had led us to believe Rory McIlroy would lose his record lead so quickly. When he teed of on Saturday he led by six. It all started with a shaky drive to the right, a not so careful approach shot and two poor puts – a poor bogey at the first.
Once he had followed that up by failing to make birdie on the easy par five second, it was already ball game. Eleven players, including four major champions, were now within five shots.
Carefree had become careful.
Big dogs weathered blood.
The perhaps worst shot of McIlroy's Saturday round found water on 11, and then it was clear, that it had only taken just over two hours for the largest 36 hole lead in Masters to fully evaporate.
The fact that McIlroy was not to be recognized speaks volumes of how difficult it is to lead golf tournament.
It was not only his game, it was his whole demeanor. Relaxed smiles had changed for tense grimaces – and the iron shots going left as the ultimate sign of nervousness.
We were all so seduced by his formidable play Thursday-Friday, we had almost forgot that Augusta National always bring drama.
It has shown us over and over again. Still we don't learn.
Parallell to Rory ran a subplot. Remember Cam Young’s tough start to the tournament, being four over par through nine holes? That patience and resilience he showed to "hang in there" and bounce back in first round paid off. On Saturday he "got hot". Now, he now has a golden opportunity to win his first green jacket.
Young has both the brains and game to do it. Both 2024 and 2025 the same player who won The Players Championship continued on to also win The Masters (Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy). It could very well happen again.
Cam Young will be in the final pairing, and he, who is number one in driving this week, will with his impressive tee ball constantly pressure on Rory McIlory, who has been very shaky off the tee box.
But of course these are only two of the players with a chance. We all know it is far from over. Many psychological twists and turns remain, and much more drama awaits.
This is exactly we love this tournament.
It is time for Sunday at The Masters.