The Masters - Day three digest

Rory was reeled in, Shane was chasing the ace, Rose rolled back the years and Alex enjoyed a first on day three of the Masters Tournament.

Here is everything you need to know.

Rory reeled in

Rory McIlroy carded a battling 73 on day three to share the lead with Cameron Young heading into the final round at Augusta National.

The defending champion went into Saturday with a record six-shot lead but any thoughts of a cruise to a second Green Jacket were soon dismissed on a topsy-turvy afternoon.

While those chasing took advantage of perfect conditions on a low-scoring day, McIlroy struggled off the tee and found himself trailing as he exited Amen Corner.

A pair of birdies had him back in front but another wayward drive led to a fifth dropped shot of the day on the 17th and he will head back out on Sunday locked at 11 under with American Young, who carded a brilliant 65.

Sam Burns was then at ten under after a 68, one clear of Shane Lowry who carded the same score with a hole-in-one.

Jason Day and Justin Rose sat at eight under, with Scottie Scheffler and Haotong Li a shot further back.

"There was a lot of good scores out there and obviously the quality of the chasing pack is obvious. There was a lot of guys that shot good scores," he said.

"I do know I'm going to have to be better if I want to have a chance to win."

Lowry bags ANOTHER Augusta ace

Shane Lowry made his second Masters hole-in-one as he put himself in contention for another Major Championship triumph.

The 2019 Open Champion had already aced the 16th on the final day a decade ago but on the sixth on Saturday he became the first player to make two holes-in-one down Magnolia Lane.

He hit a seven iron from 190 yards and the patrons already seemed excited about it in the air before watching it pitch and roll into the hole.

The celebrations outside the ropes were matched by those inside, wth Lowry giving a big fist-pumping celebration before hugging playing partner Tommy Fleetwood, who he saw make a hole-in-one in Wednesday's Par 3 contest.

Remarkably, it is his second ace in as many weeks after he made one with the same seven iron at the Texas Children's Houston Open.

"That's wild, isn't it?" he said. "I made one a couple of weeks ago in Houston. You don't ever expect to make a hole-in-one. I just couldn't believe it."

Rose targeting long-awaited win

Only Tom Weiskopf has finished second at Augusta more times than Justin Rose without winning a Green Jacket.

The Englishman was second in 2015 and then lost play-offs in 2017 and 2025 as he looks to add to his Major triumph at the 2013 U.S. Open.

After a bogey-free 69 on Saturday, he heads into the final round just three shots off the lead.

"It would mean a lot," Rose said of the prospect of winning. "Obviously I feel like I come at it from a point where I've achieved a lot in the game. I feel like, you know, I can call myself a Major Champion, which is nice, but my ultimate goal is to win all four.

You know, if I look at where I finished in seconds in all the other ones, it's not unrealistic to think it's doable. Obviously I'm leaving it late, but that would be the ultimate goal for sure."

Noren breaks new ground

Alex Noren has long been one of the most consistent players in the world and a serial winner, winning twice on last year's Back 9 including at the BMW PGA Chsmpionship.

But before this year Augusta National very much seemed like a puzzle for the Swede, with three missed cuts and a best finish of T62.

Well on Friday he made the cut and on Saturday he broke 70 for the first time at Augusta. He may yet need a tailor one day.

Crystal for Haotong

There are eagles and then there are eagles - 240 yards to tap-in range. Take a bow.