Rory McIlroy on Patrick Reed's Masters Lead: All the Pressure Is on Him Tomorrow

Rory McIlroy trails Patrick Reed by three strokes entering the final round of the Masters, but he's not stressed about a rematch of their epic 2016 Ryder Cup clash.  

"All the pressure is on him tomorrow," McIlroy told CBS following the conclusion of Saturday's third round, according to Golf Channel's Ryan Lavner. "I'm hoping to come in and spoil the party." 

It's hard to knock that confidence. 

Rory was blistering-hot in Round 3, carding a bogey-free 65, and he closed his day out with birdies on Nos. 15 and 18 to narrow the gap to three strokes. 

Plus, McIlroy has been here before. 

He has four major championships under his belt, and a win on Sunday would make him the sixth player— along with Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen—to complete the career Grand Slam. 

He was also a victim of a collapse on Sunday at Augusta National in 2011 and is well aware of the pressure that accompanies the No. 1 spot. 

"I know what it’s like to be in that [Reed's] position," McIlroy said, according to the Guardian's Ewan Murray. "It isn't easy, especially if it’s your first time. I’m going to free wheel it and play like I have nothing to lose, everything to gain. Which is true."

Reed, who's eyeing his first major title, said he doesn't plan on getting caught up in the hype of a duel with the world's seventh-ranked golfer. 

"It's going to be a lot of fun," he told reporters after shooting five under on Saturday, according to Golf Digest's Mike O'Malley. "I'm just gonna do my thing. ...I'm not out there to play Rory."