Perhaps no position group in the NFL is more divisive than running backs. Especially when it comes to determining their value – although the 2024 offseason and the subsequent results undoubtedly changed some hearts and minds – and, along those lines, the ideal time to select one during the draft. 

The deepest skill position in the 2025 draft class is running back. ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid has 32 draft grades on running backs, while The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has 30. That itself is somewhat historic. Particularly if NFL front offices and personnel departments agree, and 30 running back prospects indeed hear their name over the course of seven rounds of the draft, which begins April 24. 

“That just goes to show you how deep this running back class is,” Reid said. 

That class begins with Ashton Jeanty from Boise State. But it doesn’t end there. Not even close.

Depth everywhere

Jeanty is the elite prospect of the current running back class. After him, however, it’s mostly a series of tiers teams will be choosing from on the second and third days of the draft.

“The interesting part is – and a lot of this comes from talking to people around the league – is because of the depth of the class, and it’s really good that, man, if you have multiple needs, maybe you could see a scenario where teams are going to punt on running backs early,” NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said, “and then just know that I still got some options there on day two.” 

Whether teams use their selection in the first or second rounds compared to a later one depends on their own rankings. Teams have the flexibility to address a need at a different position that doesn’t contain as many valuable prospects first before coming back to the backs. 

“There’s going to be running backs, and if you say, ‘Hey, I can get this guy in the third, fourth, fifth round,’ then you can wait a little bit,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said.  

That strategy isn’t lost on the backs themselves.

“I know this running back class is very deep,” Tahj Brooks, who played at Texas Tech, told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s good for the running back market.”

RBs for thee on Day 2 or 3? 

Teams seeking to fill their backfields through the middle rounds of the draft will have these options, among others: 

Cam Skattebo (Arizona State): The Heisman finalist barely participated at the NFL scouting combine in February and has speed concerns, but the physicality is undeniable, and his performance in the College Football Playoff for the Sun Devils will certainly stick in the minds of decision-makers.   

Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech): Brugler gave him a fifth-round grade, and Brooks posted consecutive 1,500-yard seasons as a junior and senior that included 22 straight games of 95 rushing yards or more. His versatility in being able to run in counter, power and outside zone schemes is what he hopes will help him stand out. His pass blocking is one of the best parts of his game, Brooks said. He didn’t catch the ball much with the Red Raiders but said “I pride myself on having great hands. You need that at the next level.” 

Back to the first round 

Jeanty, the Heisman runner-up and Boise State standout, is a lock to be a first round pick, with a healthy amount of mock drafts slotting him in the top half of that round. He’s been forecasted to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6 overall, in addition to the Chicago Bears (10th) or Dallas Cowboys (12th). 

Omarion Hampton from North Carolina – the second-ranked running-back prospect, per USA TODAY Sports – has also been linked to the Bears and Cowboys should Jeanty be off the board. The Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers are also potential landing spots at 20th and 21st, respectively. (Both teams will almost certainly be leaving the draft with a rookie back or two.) 

“I do think that Jeanty and Hampton are a cut above,” said Kiper, who mocked Jeanty to the Raiders despite his philosophy of not taking a running back in the first round, especially early. 

“You’re going to play as well as a rookie as you’re going to play – it’s the only position you can say that about,” Kiper said. 

Impact of 2024 free agency could help mid-round RBs

The current crop of RB prospects owes some debt of gratitude to Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs. All three signed (somewhat undervalued) deals in free agency last year before turning in superb 2024 campaigns (and in Barkley’s case, historic). 

For years, the league had become more pass happy. Many around the NFL saw last season as the pendulum swinging the other way. But it’s worth noting those free agent success stories were the result of teams that had strengths throughout the roster. 

“My theory is you take the running back when you have everything in place, that all his carries matter,” Jeremiah said. “I just don’t want to give away carries. They only have so many carries in their body, and I want them all to matter and to count for something.”

This offseason’s free agency group – outside of Aaron Jones, who returned to the Minnesota Vikings – wasn’t as star-studded. Hence, teams could wait until the middle rounds to help build out their “carries-by-committee” contingent. 

Comparisons to 2017 NFL draft

The 2017 draft marked the last time 30 backs were selected. Four to five years from now, the 2025 running-back class might be mentioned in the same breath as ‘17, Reid said.  

“I think it’s very similar to what we saw in 2017,” he said.  

However, it is “not as star-studded at the top,” in Reid’s opinion. That class featured Christian McCaffrey (eighth overall), Leonard Fournette (fourth overall), Joe Mixon (second round), Dalvin Cook (second round) and Alvin Kamara (third round).

“You need running backs to (have success) in the NFL,” he said.

Luckily for NFL teams this draft is overflowing with them.

Kyle Kirkwood doused Alex Palou’s red-hot run to start the season by winning the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday in Long Beach, California.

Kirkwood started from pole position and led 46 out of 90 laps, fending off Palou all the while. The 26-year-old from Florida grabbed the checkered flag 2.6859 seconds ahead of the Spaniard, who won back-to-back races at St. Petersburg, Florida, and Thermal, California, to kick off 2025.

The race did not feature any caution periods, so Kirkwood and his No. 27 Honda had to stick to a strict strategy to defend first place.

‘We controlled the race from — even from practice, right? We felt like we were in control,’ Kirkwood said. ‘Really good qualifying, amazing race, amazing strategy. But it was just execution all across the board is what won us that race here today, because if Palou was in front he would have beat us for sure. This was a track position race here today without any yellows.’

Palou, the defending IndyCar Series champion, said he ‘absolutely’ felt happy with two wins and a second to start the year.

‘You never feel amazing when you finish second, but honestly, the 27 car, Kyle, they were amazing all weekend, super fast,’ Palou said. ‘I tried, I tried my chances but we couldn’t really make it work. Had a really bad start on my side and that kind of put us in the back foot.’

It was Kirkwood’s third career IndyCar title, his second at Long Beach and his first win since August 2023.

‘This is a good one. It’s been a long time. I had a drought last year of no wins and this is huge for me, huge for my morale, huge for the 27 crew, huge for Honda,’ Kirkwood said.

Christian Lundgaard of Denmark, who led 26 laps, placed third, followed by Sweden’s Felix Rosenqvist and Australia’s Will Power.

Former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy was found dead Saturday night in Houston, ESPN reported Sunday morning.

‘We’re saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy,’ LSU confirmed and said in a statement. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches impacted by his passing.”

Lacy, 24, had run into legal trouble earlier this year, when he was accused of causing a crash that killed a 78-year-old man in December and then leaving the scene. He turned himself into authorities on Jan. 12 and was later released on $151,000 bail, according to police records. 

Lafourche (Louisiana) Parish Sheriff’s Office records, obtained by ESPN, said Lacy was charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death and reckless operation of a vehicle.

A grand jury was to begin hearing evidence in the case Monday, according to WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge.

Lacy played three seasons at LSU, catching 58 passes last year for 866 yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns. He declared for the NFL draft on Dec. 19, two days after the crash, and did not play in LSU’s win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl.

Color commentator Jim Nantz has been a recognizable voice in the sports world for many years because of his work with the NFL, men’s college basketball and golf.

With his involvement with the Masters Tournament, Nantz has been the voice for some of the tournament’s most notable moments, having called the event for the first time since 1986. His voice has become synonymous with the event.

He’s currently on the call at Augusta National, spending his 40th Sunday in the booth as Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau battle it out as the final group.

When will Jim Nantz retire?

Jim Nantz’s 40th year on the call for the Masters ties former CBS broadcaster Verne Lundquist. Lundquist called his 40th and final Masters Tournament last year.

In Nantz’s early years, he worked with the hope of being asked back to work the Masters the following year.

Now, just one year after Lundquist’s retirement, Nantz continues to find himself answering questions about whether it may be his final year on the call.

“My assistant Melissa found articles 10 years ago from many, many places, the ‘Dan Patrick Show,’ Golf Digest, Richard Deitsch when he was writing for The New York Times,” Nantz told PGATour.com about the ongoing coverage over the years of his retirement.

Nantz recalled when the buzz of his potential retirement started again when he did an interview with a UK writer after an NFL playoff game in January.

“We talked about my love of the Masters,” Nantz told PGATour.com. “And in there somewhere I talked about, just conversationally, that yeah, ‘I love being a part of it. Yes, this is my 40th. I would love one day to say I’m there for the 100th playing in the Masters,’ just casually mentioning like I always have. The writer did a great job with the story, but when somebody gets that information and then spins it like, no, that’s actually journalistically really taking some liberties and it was inaccurate.”

He remains adamant about not having a set date for his departure and is just taking it “one year at a time.”

Nantz stepped away from broadcasting the NCAA Tournament after the 2023 season to focus on family and other broadcasting commitments. He called 18 Final Fours and broadcast 354 games.

Nantz was in attendance for March Madness this year, but as a fan. He saw his alma mater, Houston, compete in the Final Four against Duke and fall short in the national championship game against Florida.

Jim Nantz Masters highlights and moments

But the putt missed.

Golf fans alike had seen this before, a McIlroy meltdown late on Masters Sunday. This time, however, his chances were still alive, as he went into a sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose for the 2025 win.

McIlroy sank his putt the second time around, though, winning his first Masters and etching himself into an elite group of golfers to win every major at least once in their careers, alongside Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen.

McIlroy, obviously emotional following the win, has finally done it.

USA TODAY Sports followed McIlroy’s finish. Follow belong for updates and highlights from his Masters win after his Sunday round:

What did Rory McIlroy shoot today at The Masters?

McIlroy shot 11-under through 18 holes on Sunday, before beating Justin Rose in the first hole of the playoff in a re-do of hole 18. This time, McIlroy sunk the putt for the win.

Rory McIlroy Masters Sunday scorecard

This section will be updated throughout McIlroy’s round Sunday.

Sunday score: 1-over
Overall score: 11-under

6 (Double Bogey)
5 (Par)
3 (Birdie)
2 (Birdie)
4 (Par)
3 (Par)
4 (Par)
5 (Par)
3 (Birdie)
3 (Birdie)
5 (Bogey)
3 (Par)
7 (Double bogey)
5 (Bogey)
4 (Birdie)
3 (Par)
3 (Birdie)
5 (Bogey)
3 (Birdie)

Rory McIlroy wins it

Despite all his plunders on Sunday, McIlroy beats Justin Rose in a re-do of hole 18 for his first career Masters win to complete the Career Grand Slam.

He sank the putt this time around.

Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose heading to playoff

McIlroy misses a tournament-sealing putt, putting him and Rose in a playoff after McIlroy bogeys. McIlroy and Rose end the tournament at 11-under before the playoff.

Rory McIlroy hits bunker on hole 18

Uh oh. McIlroy’s shot from the fairway hits bunker. He has two shots left in order to par, which would secure the win. If he bogeys, he goes to a playoff with Justin Rose.

Huge couple shots here.

Rory McIlroy leads ahead of final hole

McIlroy birdies on hole 17, giving him sole possession atop the leaderboard ahead of Justin Rose, who finished the tournament at 11-under. McIlroy hopes to avoid an absolute collapse on the final hole.

Rory McIlroy regains lead on birdie putt

McIlroy had a chance at Eagle on an absurd shot onto the green, but he misses the putt before scoring a birdie anyway on hole 15. He regains the lead at 11-under par ahead of Ludvig Aberg and Justin Rose, before Rose birdies hole 18 to tie Rory at 11-under once again.

Rory McIlroy loses lead

Rory follows up his double bogey with a bogey on the 14th hole, falling out of tied-for first place and into tied-for second place with Ludvig Aberg at 10-under. Justin Rose solely leads at 11-under with four holes remaining.

Rory McIlroy double bogeys

McIlroy scores a double bogey on the 13th role and Justin Rose birdies, putting the two tied-for-first place in the standings. McIlroy had a three-shot lead over Rose entering the No. 13 but makes a drastic mistake he’ll have to fix with five holes to go.

What hole is Rory McIlroy on right now?

McIlroy, along with playing partner Bryson DeChambeau, is on the 15th hole after scoring a bogey on the 14th hole to fall into tied-for second place with Ludvig Aberg at 10-under, behind leader Justin Rose at 11-under.

Back-to-back birdies extend Rory McIlroy’s Masters lead

McIlroy has dealt with his share of demons at Augusta National over the years, but as he begins the back nine, he’s starting to pull away. McIlroy recorded birdies on the 9th and 10th holes, putting him at 14-under-par for the tournament and four strokes ahead of Justin Rose. Bryson DeChambeau, who entered the day two strokes behind McIlroy, is now five strokes back, at 9-under-par.

Rory McIlroy extends lead with birdie on 4th

How quickly things have changed. McIlroy hit a brilliant shot from the tee on the par-3 4th, getting within a few feet of the pin and sinking his birdie putt. DeChambeau, meanwhile, again struggled on the green, three-putting for the second time in as many holes to extend McIlroy’s advantage to three strokes.

Rory McIlroy retakes lead over Bryson DeChambeau with birdie

Just as quickly as McIlroy lost the lead, he gained it back. After falling behind Bryson DeChambeau by a stroke, McIlroy birdies the 3rd hole, giving him the lead after DeChambeau three-putts for a bogey.

Bryson DeChambeau takes lead over Rory McIlroy

McIlroy’s 2-stroke lead heading into Sunday at The Masters proved to be short-lived. McIlroy double-bogeyed the 1st hole, tying him with DeChambeau. On the following hole, DeChambeau birdied while McIlroy recorded a par, putting DeChambeau atop the leaderboard.

Rory McIlroy Masters history

Here’s a look at where McIlroy has finished in each of his previous appearances at The Masters:

2009: T-20th
2010: Missed cut
2011: T-15th
2012: T-40th
2013: T-25th
2014: T-8th
2015: 4th
2016: T-10th
2017: T-7th
2018: T-5th
2019: T-21st
2020: T-5th
2021: Missed cut
2022: 2nd
2023: Missed cut
2024: T-22nd

Rory McIlroy age

McIlroy is 35 years old and will turn 36 on May 4.

Where was Rory McIlroy born?

McIlroy was born and raised in Holywood, Northern Ireland.

Rory McIlroy Round 3 scorecard

McIlroy moved into the lead with a brilliant performance Saturday in which he finished with a 6-under-par 66, which included four birdies and two eagles.

Saturday score: 6-under

3 (Birdie)
3 (Eagle)
3 (Birdie)
3 (Par)
3 (Birdie)
3 (Par)
4 (Par)
6 (Bogey)
4 (Par)
5 (Bogey)
4 (Par)
3 (Bogey)
4 (Birdie)
4 (Par)
3 (Eagle)
3 (Par)
4 (Par)
3 (Birdie)

Has Rory McIlroy ever won The Masters?

McIlroy will be in search of his first-ever Masters victory Sunday. He has never won the event before, making it the only major tournament in which he hasn’t finished in first place. His best finish came in 2022, when he came in second place.

Rory McIlroy tee time Sunday

McIlroy will tee off at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday as part of a pairing with DeChambeau. Both men are vying for their first career victory at The Masters.

Nike released a sharp advertisement shortly after Rory McIlroy’s first Masters win on Sunday, one with plenty of references to the tournament at Augusta National.

The video opens with a pimento cheese sandwich, a signature at the Masters. It then panned to a dry cleaner, where a load of hanging jackets spun around before a Masters jacket appeared.

‘This was always waiting for you,’ the ad stated, as his green jacket had ‘waiting for pickup’ written on it as a worker grabbed it from the hanger.

McIlroy, who entered Sunday with a 2-stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau, ended up fighting off Justin Rose, whom McIlroy beat in a playoff re-do of the 18th hole. McIlroy had a chance at sealing the win with a putt at the original No. 18, but missed and scored a bogey, allowing Rose another chance.

But McIlroy defeated Rose on the re-do of the hole, as he sank his birdie putt.

The win was McIlroy’s first at Augusta National, and it completes his career grand slam, a feat only five other golfers have accomplished before McIlroy on Sunday. The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland has been one of the biggest names in golf, and now he has a green jacket.

Nike posts Rory McIlroy ad after Masters win

Here’s a look at Nike’s advertisement celebrating McIlroy’s Masters win on Sunday:

McIlroy sealed his first-ever win at the Masters Tournament with a putt in a sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose to complete his career Grand Slam. For his victory, Mcllroy will earn $4.2 million in purse money.

He bounced back from bogeying his 18th hole and forcing a playoff with Justin Rose to birdie the sudden-death Par 4 hole to win his first ever Masters. After McIlroy sank the clinching putt, he got emotional, as expected, for the elusive victory.

Here’s a social reactions to McIlory winning the 2025 Masters and completing the career grand slam on Sunday at Augusta National Club in Augusta, Georgia.

Social reactions to Rory McIlroy winning 2025 Masters

The WNBA draft is a pivotal night in women’s basketball, with top players from the college ranks and international leagues getting their shot at a place in the league.

After a 9-31 season, the Dallas Wings are set to be first on the clock when league commissioner Cathy Engelbert kicks the draft off. UConn guard Paige Bueckers is the presumptive No. 1 pick, though with interest high in the newly-minted national champion, plenty of teams are expected to call Dallas with offers to trade up.

Beyond the first overall selection, the draft promises plenty of noteworthy developments. The expansion Golden State Valkyries are set to make their first picks as a WNBA team, while the Washington Mystics hold three picks in the first round and the Connecticut Sun, Chicago Sky and Wings have two apiece.

Here is the 2025 WNBA Draft order, and how to watch teams make their selections Monday night:

2025 WNBA draft order

First round

Dallas Wings
Seattle Storm (from Los Angeles Sparks)
Washington Mystics (from Chicago Sky)
Washington Mystics
Golden State Valkyries
Washington Mystics (from Atlanta Dream)
Connecticut Sun (from New York Liberty)
Connecticut Sun (from Indiana Fever)
Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle Storm)
Chicago Sky (from Connecticut Sun)
Chicago Sky (from Minnesota Lynx)
Dallas Wings (from New York Liberty)

The WNBA punished the Las Vegas Aces after finding that the team had broken league rules concerning player benefits, rescinding their natural first-round pick as part of that process. As such, the first round has just 12 picks, while the second and third rounds have 13 selections each.

Second round

Las Vegas Aces (from Los Angeles Sparks)
Dallas Wings
Minnesota Lynx (from Chicago Sky)
Chicago Sky (from Washington Mystics)
Golden State Valkyries
Atlanta Dream
Indiana Fever (from Phoenix Mercury)
Indiana Fever
Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle Storm)
Chicago Sky (from Las Vegas Aces)
Washington Mystics (from Connecticut Sun)
Minnesota Lynx
Connecticut Sun (from New York Liberty)

Third round

Seattle Storm (from Los Angeles Sparks)
Dallas Wings
Los Angeles Sparks (from Chicago Sky)
Seattle Storm (from Washington Mystics)
Golden State Valkyries
Dallas Wings (from Atlanta Dream)
Washington Mystics (from Phoenix Mercury)
Indiana Fever
Seattle Storm
Las Vegas Aces
Atlanta Dream (from Connecticut Sun)
Minnesota Lynx
New York Liberty

When is 2025 WNBA draft?

The WNBA draft will be held in New York at Manhattan cultural center The Shed on Monday, April 14.

WNBA draft 2025: How to watch, time, TV channel

The WNBA draft is Monday, April 14, with the event taking place at The Shed in New York. The draft will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET, continuing through three rounds and 38 total picks.

Date: Monday, April 14
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (Coverage begins at 7 p.m.)
Location: The Shed (New York)
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo (free trial for new subscribers)

Watch the WNBA draft with a free trial of Fubo

Rory McIlroy’s esteemed golfing career has but one blemish on it. The 35-year-old has never won the Masters. He’s participated in the event 17 times including 2025, but a green jacket has remained illusive. He’s had numerous chances, including 2011 when he went into the final day with a four-stroke lead only to collapse with an 80 in the final round. However, there’s something different in the air this year.

Augusta National has not seemed as daunting to the Irishman this time around. He heads into the tournament’s final round two strokes up on second-place Bryson DeChambeau and four strokes up on third-place Corey Conners. Of course, anything can happen, but it’s starting to look like McIlroy’s quest for that coveted fourth leg of his career Grand Slam is starting to come together.

Here’s every golfer in history with a Grand Slam on their resume.

What is a Grand Slam?

In golf, a Grand Slam is when a player wins all four major tournaments over the course of their careers. These tournaments happen once a year and consist of:

The Masters
PGA Championship
Open Championship (AKA British Open)
U.S. Open

So long as a golfer wins each of these tournaments at least once in their careers, they will have achieved a Grand Slam.

Rory McIlroy has won each of the last three on that list. He won the 2011 U.S. Open, the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championships, and the 2014 British Open. Despite 16 appearances and 13 cuts made prior to 2025 at the Masters though, McIlroy has never won at Augusta.

How many golfers have career Grand Slams?

Only five.

Gene Sarazen: 1922 U.S. Open, 1922 PGA Championship, 1932 Open Championship, 1935 Masters
Ben Hogan: 1946 PGA Championship, 1948 U.S. Open, 1951 Masters (1951), 1953 Open Championship
Gary Player: 1959 Open Championship, 1961 Masters, 1962 PGA Championship, 1965 U.S. Open
Jack Nicklaus: 1962 U.S. Open, 1963 Masters, 1963 PGA Championship, 1966 Open Championship
Tiger Woods: 1997 Masters, 1999 PGA Championship, 2000 U.S. Open, 2000 Open Championship

Bobby Jones is another golfer who has completed a Grand Slam, but he did so in the pre-Masters era (prior to 1934). At that time, both the U.S. and British Amateur tournaments were considered majors, alongside the U.S. Open and the Open Championship. Jones even went as far as to win each of these tournaments in one calendar year (1930), and he remains the only golfer in history to achieve a Grand Slam in a single year.

There have been 12 other golfers to complete three of the four legs necessary to complete the Grand Slam including Arnold Palmer, Lee Trivino, Tony Watson, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, and of course Rory McIlroy, among others.

Rory McIlroy finds himself in a familiar position Sunday, atop the leaderboard at The Masters Tournament and with the fabled green jacket tantalizingly close to his grasp.

Unlike previous attempts, though, will he be able to close it out this time? Or does more heartbreak at Augusta National Golf Club await him?

McIlroy heads into the fourth and final round of the 2025 edition of The Masters at 12-under-par, with a two-stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau. If he’s able to hold on, he’ll not only win The Masters for the first time, but he will complete the career grand slam, having won each of the other three major tournaments at least once.

As he tries to do that, he’ll be playing in a final-day pairing with DeChambeau, who edged him by a stroke at the U.S. Open last year and who has often been a foil to McIlroy in the feud between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

Follow along here for the live score, updates, highlights and more from McIlroy’s final round at The Masters:

What did Rory McIlroy shoot today at The Masters?

McIlroy is even through 17 holes during his final round at The Masters on Sunday. He’s at 12-under par for the tournament, placing him in sole possession of first place heading into the final hole. McIlroy came into the day with a 2-stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau.

Rory McIlroy Masters Sunday scorecard

This section will be updated throughout McIlroy’s round Sunday.

Sunday score: 1-over
Overall score: 11-under

6 (Double Bogey)
5 (Par)
3 (Birdie)
2 (Birdie)
4 (Par)
3 (Par)
4 (Par)
5 (Par)
3 (Birdie)
3 (Birdie)
5 (Bogey)
3 (Par)
7 (Double bogey)
5 (Bogey)
4 (Birdie)
3 (Par)
3 (Birdie)
5 (Bogey)

Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose heading to playoff

McIlroy misses a tournament-sealing putt, putting him and Rose in a playoff after McIlroy bogeys. McIlroy and Rose end the tournament at 11-under before the playoff.

Rory McIlroy hits bunker on hole 18

Uh oh. McIlroy’s shot from the fairway hits bunker. He has two shots left in order to par, which would secure the win. If he bogeys, he goes to a playoff with Justin Rose.

Huge couple shots here.

Rory McIlroy leads ahead of final hole

McIlroy birdies on hole 17, giving him sole possession atop the leaderboard ahead of Justin Rose, who finished the tournament at 11-under. McIlroy hopes to avoid an absolute collapse on the final hole.

Rory McIlroy regains lead on birdie putt

McIlroy had a chance at Eagle on an absurd shot onto the green, but he misses the putt before scoring a birdie anyway on hole 15. He regains the lead at 11-under par ahead of Ludvig Aberg and Justin Rose, before Rose birdies hole 18 to tie Rory at 11-under once again.

Rory McIlroy loses lead

Rory follows up his double bogey with a bogey on the 14th hole, falling out of tied-for first place and into tied-for second place with Ludvig Aberg at 10-under. Justin Rose solely leads at 11-under with four holes remaining.

Rory McIlroy double bogeys

McIlroy scores a double bogey on the 13th role and Justin Rose birdies, putting the two tied-for-first place in the standings. McIlroy had a three-shot lead over Rose entering the No. 13 but makes a drastic mistake he’ll have to fix with five holes to go.

What hole is Rory McIlroy on right now?

McIlroy, along with playing partner Bryson DeChambeau, is on the 15th hole after scoring a bogey on the 14th hole to fall into tied-for second place with Ludvig Aberg at 10-under, behind leader Justin Rose at 11-under.

Back-to-back birdies extend Rory McIlroy’s Masters lead

McIlroy has dealt with his share of demons at Augusta National over the years, but as he begins the back nine, he’s starting to pull away. McIlroy recorded birdies on the 9th and 10th holes, putting him at 14-under-par for the tournament and four strokes ahead of Justin Rose. Bryson DeChambeau, who entered the day two strokes behind McIlroy, is now five strokes back, at 9-under-par.

Rory McIlroy extends lead with birdie on 4th

How quickly things have changed. McIlroy hit a brilliant shot from the tee on the par-3 4th, getting within a few feet of the pin and sinking his birdie putt. DeChambeau, meanwhile, again struggled on the green, three-putting for the second time in as many holes to extend McIlroy’s advantage to three strokes.

Rory McIlroy retakes lead over Bryson DeChambeau with birdie

Just as quickly as McIlroy lost the lead, he gained it back. After falling behind Bryson DeChambeau by a stroke, McIlroy birdies the 3rd hole, giving him the lead after DeChambeau three-putts for a bogey.

Bryson DeChambeau takes lead over Rory McIlroy

McIlroy’s 2-stroke lead heading into Sunday at The Masters proved to be short-lived. McIlroy double-bogeyed the 1st hole, tying him with DeChambeau. On the following hole, DeChambeau birdied while McIlroy recorded a par, putting DeChambeau atop the leaderboard.

Rory McIlroy Masters history

Here’s a look at where McIlroy has finished in each of his previous appearances at The Masters:

2009: T-20th
2010: Missed cut
2011: T-15th
2012: T-40th
2013: T-25th
2014: T-8th
2015: 4th
2016: T-10th
2017: T-7th
2018: T-5th
2019: T-21st
2020: T-5th
2021: Missed cut
2022: 2nd
2023: Missed cut
2024: T-22nd

Rory McIlroy age

McIlroy is 35 years old and will turn 36 on May 4.

Where was Rory McIlroy born?

McIlroy was born and raised in Holywood, Northern Ireland.

Rory McIlroy Round 3 scorecard

McIlroy moved into the lead with a brilliant performance Saturday in which he finished with a 6-under-par 66, which included four birdies and two eagles.

Saturday score: 6-under

3 (Birdie)
3 (Eagle)
3 (Birdie)
3 (Par)
3 (Birdie)
3 (Par)
4 (Par)
6 (Bogey)
4 (Par)
5 (Bogey)
4 (Par)
3 (Bogey)
4 (Birdie)
4 (Par)
3 (Eagle)
3 (Par)
4 (Par)
3 (Birdie)

Has Rory McIlroy ever won The Masters?

McIlroy will be in search of his first-ever Masters victory Sunday. He has never won the event before, making it the only major tournament in which he hasn’t finished in first place. His best finish came in 2022, when he came in second place.

Rory McIlroy tee time Sunday

McIlroy will tee off at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday as part of a pairing with DeChambeau. Both men are vying for their first career victory at The Masters.