Masters notes: Rory McIlroy is left behind in Sunday’s birdie rush

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy sat out the birdie party at Augusta National Sunday, one of the most surprising developments of a breathtaking day.
McIlroy shot a 2-over-par 74 on a day when the average score was 70.491. Only four players in the field fared worse. He had only three birdies and finished in a four-way tie for fifth.
He began the day three strokes behind leader and eventual champion Patrick Reed and finished six strokes in arrears.
McIlroy had putted well coming in, but missed a