Now that every group has teed off for Saturday’s third round of the Masters, we’ve seen enough golf to get a bead on what things are looking like at Augusta National.
From Tiger’s teeing off to watching Rory McIlroy ebb and flow with his own progress and the beginning of the fight for first between three T-1 players in Bryson DeChambeau, Max Roma and Scottie Scheffler, if the early Saturday action is any type of omen, we could be in for an epic finish in the Green Jacket chase. Here are three quick observations of the third round action at Augusta.
WEATHER CONDITIONS IMPROVING
The week started out cloudy and calm through practice rounds and Wednesday’s Par-3. Then came the threat of rain and thunderstorms for the Thursday first round forecast which, if the earlier predictions held true, could’ve made for a complete Thursday washout.
But the storms that came through Wednesday night and early into Thursday were done and gone by 10 a.m., and the clouds gave way to sunshine and warm temps, but the winds stayed strong, swirling and problematic through Friday. But Saturday is looking like more of the hopefully perfect conditions golfers look for.
The course is dry with no signs of any precipitation that fell just over 48 hours ago. The winds, while still a little on the brisk side at around 15 mph, are no longer the swirling mess they were, particularly on Friday. The greens are their typical Augusta National-fast, and with a forecasted high of 77 degrees, it’s not too hot and not too cold. But the more firm the course gets, the more difficult it’s proving to be.
REELING RORY TRYING TO FIND HIMSELF
Rory McIlroy came into the 88th Masters fielding the same question he’s been fielding for the last 10 years — if this would be the year that he’d be able to conquer Augusta and add a career Grand Slam to his resume.
But he hasn’t been great. Coming into round three, McIlroy’s shot 17 of 36 greens in regulation. His fortunes started to improve a bit as, at the time of this report, he shot five of 10 greens in regulation, and appeared to start getting some of his bounce and spring in his step back as his round went on.
But he hasn’t carded a birdie on the back nine all week, and that’s contributed to his inability to find a groove. He got better on the back nine, shooting par until carding an eagle at 14. So it’s possible that his fortunes may be getting ready to take a sharp turn for the better.
TRICKY IN A DIFFERENT WAY
Much of the talk of Augusta National’s rigor during the first two days has centered around the wind. And, again, it’s still there, but definitely not as problematic as it had been. But it’s the course’s legendary fast greens that seem to be giving golfers fits on Saturday, the firmer they get.
It took almost six hours of golf before anyone was able to card a birdie between holes 4, 5 and 6. Tiger Woods is the one who did it at No. 5 when he sank a solid 18-footer for birdie — only his seventh birdie at 5 in his 24 starts at Augusta.
Just 45 minutes before groups with Max Homa, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau teed off, Tiger had moved from the T-22 position to T-19. But after that birdie at 5, things went down hill fast for him as he bogeyed 6 and double-bogeyed 7 and 8 to put him 6 over through 8.
What does that mean? Simply that no one is exactly lighting the course on fire which makes it all the more interesting because anyone within the top 15 is within striking distance, unless someone in the top five just plays outstanding golf.
Speaking of outstanding golf, Chris Kirk just wrapped up his first round, carding a 68 with birdies at 2, 8, 12, 15 and 18.
And once again, with the way the course is firming up and speeding up with just enough wind to make a difference, margin for error will be slim for everyone.
