Rory McIlroy reacts after putting on the 18th green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Masters takeaways from third round: Is this Rory McIlroy's year?

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Apr 12, 2025 8:56 PM ET

We are through three rounds of this year's Masters, and the stage is set for an unforgettable Sunday that is either going to deliver a top player their first green jacket or be another devastating missed opportunity. Rory McIlroy dominated the course on Saturday and is in the driver's seat going into Sunday.

This might be the year for McIlroy

If you take away the three-hole stretch on Thursday where his opening round fell apart, Rory McIlroy has been a man on a mission at this year's tournament.

That continued on Saturday when he opened third-round play with a historically strong start.

So strong, in fact, that nobody in the history of the Masters had ever done what he did by recording six consecutive threes to open the day.

Rory McIlroy is the first player in Masters history to start his round with six consecutive threes. #themasters
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2025

Considering the way he opened the tournament on Thursday, finishing the day even, his turnaround over the past two days has been remarkable and he goes into the final round with a two stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau.

This really might be his year to get that jacket.

And if it isn't, you have to start wondering when it will ever happen for him or what he will have to do to actually get it.

Final round for the ages

Masters Sunday is already one of the best days of the sports year. But this one feels even more significant than most.

Not only do you have the drama of a tight battle between two of the best golfers in the world, they are both going for significant wins.

Both are going for their first Masters win.

McIlroy is going for his first Major win since 2014.

If it is one of them that takes it, it will be a huge personal win that will change their careers.

If neither wins, it will be another devastating miss on the biggest stage.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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