A thrilling round at Augusta National
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy had a breathtaking start to his third round in the Masters at Augusta National, Georgia in America (10-13 April). In search of his first Masters title so that he could scoop a career Major Grand Slam, McIlroy played a phenomenal first six holes: 3,3,3,3,3,3! This is the first time in the Masters history that a player has achieved this remarkable score. In other words, he carded a birdie, eagle, birdie, par, birdie, par to shoot to the top of the leaderboard on 5-under par for day three and 12-under for the tournament. Indeed McIlroy chipped-in on the third hole for an eagle. What a thrilling start at Augusta National for the winner of four Majors!
However, despite McIlroy’s delightful beginning there were a host of big names in the chasing pack. England’s Justin Rose, who led the Masters the first two days, was tied for second place with America’s Bryson DeChambeau on 1-under par. Whilst players ahead of them such as Ireland’s Shane Lowry, who won the Open Championship in 2019, and a very promising Corey Conners (Canada) were a couple of shots off McIlroy’s target.
Defending champion (2022 and 2024) Scottie Scheffler (USA), Australia’s Jason Day and Viktor Hovland (Norway) were also lingering on 6-under par, so there was a lot of cracking good golf to come.
American Bryson DeChambeau made a birdie, birdie start to get to 9-under par.
Let’s take a closer look at Rory McIlroy
The Northern Irishman’s impressive 18-shot start over the first six holes then saw him drive his ball into the trees on the right at the 7th. He splashed out to just short of the green. Surely he couldn’t hole the chip for another birdie here too? Alas, he made par so his magic three had disappeared. On the next hole he made his first bogey since the 17th hole in the first round. Now that is pretty impressive!
After eight holes, McIlroy was three ahead of the field on 10-under par. DeChambeau and Shane Lowry were three behind him in a tie for second place. Jason Day, Justin Rose and Viktor Hovland and Cory Connors were a further shot behind in a share of fourth on 6-under. Now that is all very interesting, I hear you say. And it is because all these players represent a wealth of countries around the world: Northern Ireland, America, Ireland, Australia, England, Norway and Canada. Yes, that is the joy of the Major tournaments!
Rory McIlroy made a second bogey at the 10th hole and seemed to have lost the relaxed mood of his opening six holes. He then responded with a birdie at the 13th hole followed by another eagle at the par-5 15th hole to get himself back to 12-under for the Masters. He finished his round with another 6-under par 66.
DeChambeau was hanging on to McIlroy’s lead and produced an impressive 3-under par 69 which included three birdies in the last four holes for second place. The American finished two shots behind on 10-under.
It is also fascinating to watch the Canadian Cory Conners in action. He is still in the running at the Masters with an impressive 2-under par score on day three which sees him four behind McIlroy on 8-under par.
America’s Patrick Reed shot a 3-under par 69 on day three to tie with last year’s runner-up from Sweden Ludvig Aberg for fourth position on 6-under. Justin Rose had a disappointing three over par on day three which left him in a tie for 6th place along with Scottie Scheffler and Shane Lowry, who only managed to card a level par round, and Jason Day who are all a shot further back on 5-under par.
Sunday’s golf at the Masters will be another day of excitement as the best players in the world look to perform a perfect round of golf for the first Major of the season. Enjoy!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Rory McIlroy shoots an amazing first six holes at Augusta National. MINIS (l-r): Bryson DeChambeau, Corey Conners, Scottie Scheffler and Justin Rose.