April 10, 2011: Rory McIlroy, left, of Northern Ireland looks over at Angel Cabrera of Argentina as he checks his course notes during the final round of the Masters golf tournament. (AP)
AUGUSTA, Georgia-- Rory McIlroy has teed off in the final round of the Masters, trying to protect a four-stroke lead on a sweltering day.
The 21-year-old Northern Irishman was at 12-under 204 coming into Sunday and playing in the final group with 2009 Masters champion Angel Cabrera, the only player in the top eight with a major title on his resume.
Cabrera started the day at 208, in a group that also included K.J. Choi, Charl Schwartzel and Jason Day. Tiger Woods was a daunting seven strokes off the lead after a disappointing 74 in the third round. Any chance of a comeback by defending champion Phil Mickelson likely ended with a double-bogey at No. 5.
If McIlroy can hang on, he'll be the second youngest champion in Masters history to Woods in 1997.
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