6:45 am: McIlroy makes a disappointing par at the par-5 8th, the easiest hole on the golf course.
Jason Day makes a birdie-two on the par-3 12th to get into the group at six-under for the tournament.
6:30 am: A bogey-free 65 for Scheffler.
Another brilliant par save from the greenside bunker for McIlroy at 7, Burns makes par to remain at two under for the day.
6:20 am: Cam Young makes another birdie. The Players’ champion is five under for his round and moves into a share of second at -9.
6:10 am: McIlroy is in some strife on 6 after missing the green at the par-3 well to the left. The irons have looked off so far today. Impressive chip to give himself a look at par, the short game has been immaculate this week and is continuing to show up for him.
Right in the heart, the defending champion remains three clear.
6:00 am: Burns and McIlroy trade pars at 5. Collin Morikawa holes out for an eagle on 15.
Back-to-back bogeys for Reed at 4 and 5.
Leaderboard
1 – McIlroy -12
2 – Li -9
3 – Lowry, Burns, Young -8
6 – Scheffler, Reed -7
5:50 am: A brilliant up-and-down from McIlroy at 4. The Northern Irishman found the greenside bunker from the tee. China’s Hoatong Li hits a saucy fairway metal into the par-5 8th, he will have a short putt for eagle to get to nine under and into solo-second.
From distance, Haotong Li’s approach into No. 8 sets up an eagle. Today, he is five under par through eight holes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/wVywvEbF5h
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Patrick Cantlay birdies the last for a bogey-free 67.
5:40 am: Shane Lowry makes an ACE on 6 to get to eight under! What a golf shot!
Needing one stroke on No. 6, Shane Lowry cards an ace. #themasters pic.twitter.com/SAr9uy2KBs
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
5:30 am: McIlroy drives the green on 3, leaves the eagle putt on the edge of the hole. Makes birdie to get the train back on the tracks.
A bounce-back birdie for Rory on No. 3. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Fx7Ne9KIgL
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
5:25 am: Par at 2 for McIlroy, birdie for Burns, who has already made up three shots on the defending champion.
Justin Rose makes a birdie at 3 to get to six under. Reed makes his third-straight birdie at the 3rd; he is just two back from McIlroy.
Patrick Reed is coming. PHOTO: Getty Images.
5:20 am: McIlroy finds trouble at 2 off the tee. Burns finds the fairway bunker. McIlroy’s second finds the patrons left of the green. Reed has a kick-in to get to eight under. It really is heating up at Augusta.
Birdie on No. 3. Patrick Reed moves within two of the lead. #themasters pic.twitter.com/V8mz42AAbD
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
5:10 am: Wyndham Clark very nearly makes a 1 on the par-4 3rd and holes the putt, which is only the 20th eagle of all time at the hole.
A 330-yard drive. A five-foot putt. One eagle for Wyndham Clark. #themasters pic.twitter.com/DdL7EjHg98
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Ludvig Aberg makes three birdies on the bounce on 10-12.
Sam Burns hits a lovely wedge shot into 1 and rolls in his birdie putt with authority, while McIlroy misses the green long. The defending champ then left himself a tricky 7-footer for par, which he missed; a bogey to start and a two-shot swing on the opening hole.
The lead goes from six to four.
5:00 am: Scheffler gets to -6. Reed birdies the first to get to -7. McIlroy and Burns both get their Saturdays underway with solid drives.
McIlroy hits his wedge long at 1. PHOTO: Getty Images.
Birdie at 8 for Matsuyama, he joins the group of players at -5.
4:45 am: The penultimate pairing is underway, Justin Rose and Patrick Reed.
Scheffler is coming; he has a great birdie look at 11. This is a proper charge as McIlroy makes his way to the opening tee.
Scottie Scheffler closes the first nine with a birdie and leaps into the top five. #themasters pic.twitter.com/WkgpegxMnA
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
4:40 am: Par for Scott at 15, the Aussie is two under today. Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood are underway; both are making comfortable pars.
Cam Young drives the green at 3; he has a long eagle putt pending. Scheffler has a great look for a fourth birdie on the trot at 10.
Patrick Cantlay is bogey-free today; the American is three under for his round currently.
Jason Day has a short birdie look at the 3rd after a delicate chip.
4:30 am: Plenty of movement is happening around the golf course. Rory McIlroy looks relaxed and composed as he gets some reps in on the chipping green.
4:20 am: Scheffler nearly holes out on 9! That would’ve got him into a tie for second. Don’t put a line through the world No. 1; cleans up for a birdie.
Big start from the World No.1. PHOTO: Getty Images.
Koepka makes his birdie at 4.
4:10 am: Hideki Matsuyama rolls in a short putt on 5 for his third birdie on the bounce. The former champion moves into a tie for fourth. Adam Scott rolls in a short one to get back to even par for the tournament on 14.
From 227 yards to eight feet. Eagle for Chris Gotterup on No. 2. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Kz4zrADtSQ
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2026
Brooks Koepka hits a brilliant wedge shot from a bare lie at 3; he has a good look at birdie and is two under for the tournament.
4:00 am: The World No.1, Scottie Scheffler, has started his pursuit of the lead. The Texan is four under par through eight holes today. Fellow major Champion Matt Fitzpatrick has also made a solid start, the Englishman two under through five, and three under for the tournament.
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