Importance Score: 15 / 100 🟠
Key events
Tommy Fleetwood Faces Setback at Masters, Morikawa Gains Momentum. Fleetwood began his round at the Masters Tournament with a disappointing start, misjudging a lengthy putt on the first hole. The ball, initially on target, veered seven feet to the right, resulting in a bogey and dropping him to -1. Conversely, Collin Morikawa, a highly anticipated contender, commenced strongly. He executed a precise approach shot from 150 yards, landing near the pin, and subsequently sank a ten-foot putt for a birdie, elevating his score to -4.
McIlroy’s Strategy for Day 3 of the Masters. Rory McIlroy shared his mindset with CBS Sports, stating, “My approach today remains consistent… concentrate on my own performance, avoid distractions by looking at leaderboards despite their visibility, and allow the score to develop naturally. I aim to maintain patience and adhere to the strategy that proved effective yesterday.”
Zach Johnson Demonstrates Augusta Mastery. Zach Johnson showcased a textbook execution on the par-five 13th hole at Augusta. He initiated with a drive down the fairway, followed by a strategic lay-up wedge around the corner. An accurate chip from 85 yards left him just a couple of feet from the pin, securing an easy birdie. This display further illustrates that sheer power isn’t essential for success at Augusta National. While distance is advantageous, it isn’t the only path to victory, as evidenced by Johnson’s performance. He is currently five under par for the day and -3 overall in the tournament.
Former Champions Display Strong Performances. Several past Masters champions are demonstrating the potential for low scores today. Jon Rahm, of LIV Golf, began his round impressively with three consecutive birdies, bringing him back to even par for the tournament. Jordan Spieth, the 2015 champion, has also played flawlessly, birdieing holes 8, 9, and 13, moving to -1 overall. Furthermore, 2007 victor Zach Johnson is significantly improving his standing, achieving birdies on the 9th, 10th, and 12th holes, and an eagle on the 2nd. Despite a bogey on the 6th, he stands at -2 overall.
Augusta Weather Update: Ideal Conditions for Scoring. Augusta National is experiencing sunny conditions, although temperatures remain mild. While a slight increase in wind is anticipated later in the day, it is not expected to be significant and will be less intense than yesterday afternoon’s gusts. There’s a minor possibility of rain later, but any showers are predicted to be light. Combined with favorable pin positions, the conditions are conducive for low scores in this third round of the Masters.
Late Round Struggles and Missed Cuts at the Masters. Nick Dunlap’s final round could have been even more remarkable had he avoided three consecutive bogeys at the end. However, the most significant late-round stumble belonged to Brooks Koepka, the runner-up in both 2019 and 2023. Koepka’s chances to compete further in this Masters were dashed when he recorded a quadruple-bogey on the 18th hole last night. A wayward tee shot into the trees initiated a series of errors: an unplayable lie, a weak chip after recovering, and ultimately, a three-putt. Similarly, Cameron Young also faced disappointment, missing the cut due to a three-putt from close range on the 16th, highlighting the Masters’ unforgiving nature.
Nick Dunlap’s Resilience at the Masters. Before the day intensifies, it’s worth acknowledging the spirited performance of Nick Dunlap. Following an opening round of 90 on Thursday, many might have excused themselves from the tournament. However, the young 21-year-old demonstrated remarkable resolve. Instead of withdrawing, Dunlap channeled his frustration into practice and returned to the course to card a 71 in the second round. Despite missing the cut, Dunlap’s turnaround is commendable. The difference between his first and second rounds marks the second largest scoring disparity in Masters history, only surpassed by Craig Wood’s 88-67 in 1936. Notably, Wood later won the Masters in 1941, a promising omen for Dunlap’s future prospects at Augusta, perhaps pointing towards a potential victory in 2030.
Masters Day 3: Leaderboard Update and Tee Times
Moving Day at the Masters: Top Players in Contention. Day 3 of the Masters is underway, and here’s the current state of the leaderboard as players vie for position at Augusta National.
Current Leaderboard Top Positions:
- -8: Rose
- -7: DeChambeau
- -6: McIlroy, Conners
- -5: McCarty, Lowry, Scheffler, Hatton
- -4: R Højgaard, Hovland, Day
- -3: Im, Åberg, Matsuyama, Reed, Morikawa
- -2: Schauffele, Fleetwood, Riley, M Kim, Harman
- -1: Watson, Burns, Echavarria, English, MW Lee
- E: Hoge, Homa, Taylor, Berger, Fitzpatrick, Clark, Theegala, Thompson, Rai, Thomas
Notable Players Who Missed the Cut:
Several prominent names will not be advancing to the weekend at the Masters:
- Dustin Johnson
- Bernhard Langer
- Keegan Bradley
- Sergio Garcia
- Mike Weir
- Fred Couples
- Tony Finau
- Brooks Koepka (quadruple-bogey on the 18th)
- Adam Scott
- Cameron Smith
- Billy Horschel
- Phil Mickelson
- Robert MacIntyre
- Jose Maria Olazabal
- Cameron Young (four-putt on the 16th)
- Will Zalatoris
For today’s Masters third round tee times, please refer to the official Masters website. Live coverage will commence here at 6pm BST. The competition is intensifying!