Masters 2025: Rory McIlroy making a mockery of Augusta National in Round 3

On Thursday afternoon at Augusta National, Rory McIlroy had things rolling to kick off his 2025 Masters—until he didn't.

After making four birdies in his first 14 holes, the world No. 2 put himself in position to make a fifth at the par-5 15th, only to walk away with a double-bogey after knocking his third shot into the water. Another double followed at the 17th, and McIlroy ultimately ended his day with an even-par 72, leaving him seven shots back of first-round leader Justin Rose.

Afterward, we touched on how recent history suggested that Rory had already lost this tournament, thus squandering his 11th opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam.

But as he tends to do, the four-time major champion bounced back beautifully on Friday, firing a 6-under 66 to get right back in the mix, putting himself just two behind Rose heading into Round 3.

And that momentum has clearly carried over into Moving Day, as Rory needed just one hole to make an emphatic statement and only two holes to take the outright lead.

Rory McIlroy is on fire to open his third round at the 2025 Masters

Playing alongside Corey Conners, McIlroy absolutely torched his opening tee shot to the tune of 371 yards, easily the longest of the day.

And after hitting his approach to 10 feet, he drained the birdie putt to get to 7-under.

At the par-5 second hole, Rory again blistered the ball with his driver, sending it a ridiculous 369 yards down the fairway. He then hit a 6-iron nearly 240 yards (238, to be exact) over the green, leaving him an 18-yard pitch, which he went ahead and holed for an eagle to take the lead at 9-under.

But he wasn't done yet.

Following a 308-yard tee shot at the short par-4 third, McIlroy hit yet another solid second, leaving himself a seven-footer for birdie, which he rolled in to get to 10-under.

He finally allowed us to catch our breath with a par at the fourth, but he certainly wasn't far off from making birdie.

And it didn't take long for him to get back on the birdie train, as he got to 11-under at the par-4 fifth, hitting a brilliant drive, a brilliant approach, and rolling in the putt. It's his first birdie at No. 5 in eight years, by the way, so he's dialed in.

Augusta National isn't supposed to be easy, but Rory McIlroy is certainly making it look that way. Buckle up, folks. It's going to be a fun Saturday at The Masters.

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