Rory McIlroy finds the water at Augusta’s 11th hole, surrendering his comfortable lead with a double bogey.
Rory McIlroy has seen his lead trimmed to just one stroke after finding the water at the 11th hole during Sunday’s final round at the Masters Tournament. The defending champion’s double bogey on the par-4 hole marked a significant shift in momentum as the competition tightened around him at Augusta National.
McIlroy, who won the green jacket last year, had built a comfortable advantage earlier in the round but the costly mistake on the 11th has allowed his challengers to close the gap considerably. The water hazard guarding the left side of the hole claimed his ball, forcing the Northern Irishman to take a penalty stroke and drop back in the scoring.
Pressure Intensifies on the Back Nine
With the lead now down to a single stroke, the final holes of the Masters have become a tense affair. McIlroy faces a challenging stretch ahead as he attempts to secure a second green jacket and protect his position at the top of the leaderboard. Every shot from this point forward carries added weight as his rivals circle ever closer.
The mistake at the 11th—a hole that has caught many players throughout the week—served as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change at Augusta. McIlroy’s ability to recover from this setback over the remaining holes will largely determine whether he can hold off the challenge and claim another Masters title.
The PGA Tour continues to deliver drama as the tournament enters its decisive stages, with the final nine holes still to play.
This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue