Caitlin Clark shed light on the immense support that Rory McIlroy has behind him entering the final round of The Masters after witnessing it first hand at Augusta National.
Heading into Sunday, McIlroy boasts a two-stroke lead following a stellar third round in which he shot 6-under 66 - bringing him to 12-under-par through 54 holes. Bryson DeChambeau remains hot on his tail, however, sinking birdies on three of his last four holes to remain in second on the leaderboard.
McIlroy’s 11th attempt at completing the career Grand Slam - a feat that only Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have accomplished in the Masters era - has featured no shortage of highs and lows.
On the heels of an “inexcusable” implosion late on Day 1, McIlroy flew back up the leaderboard with a stellar bogey-free 66 second round - thereby getting the last laugh over Caroline Wozniacki, who seemingly directed an unsubtle dig at her ex-boyfriend. The Northern Irishman carried his strong performance from Friday into the third round, masterfully sinking eagles at the second and 15th holes.
Even before McIlroy blew the doors off Augusta on Saturday, Clark could sense that momentum was building around the 35-year-old. While making an appearance on ‘Under The Umbrellas,’ the Indiana Fever star expressed confidence that he will secure his first green jacket.
“Coming into the tournament I was rooting for Ludvig [Aberg], I wanted him to win. But I think Rory is gonna do it, which I think is gonna be really cool,” Clark said.
“We were sitting at the 18th green on Friday, and you could just tell everybody was cheering extra hard for him and he had a really good day. So that was really fun to watch.
“I think it would be very memorable to be here for that. Everybody kind of wants it to happen. He really wants it. The way he bounced back after Thursday - how his round ended too - was cool to watch. I think he wants to get it done, and I think he might.”
The love and support from Masters attendees is not lost on McIlroy, who took a moment to acknowledge those who’ve cheered him on throughout the last three days. "It's amazing to have the support," he said.
"These patrons and these galleries are a pleasure to play in front of, each and every year we come back. They are some of the most knowledgeable golf patrons or spectators that we play in front of.
"It's a pleasure to play in front of them and to have that atmosphere and that support. Tomorrow in that final group is going to be a little rowdy and a little loud. I'm just going to have to settle in and really try to keep myself in my own little bubble and keep my head down and approach tomorrow with the same attitude that I have tried to approach the last three days with."