Spieth hangs on to lead but Smylie gets a look-in
The surgical precision with which American Jordan Spieth dissected the golf course at Augusta National on his way to winning The Masters last year was way beyond a player of his age. The 21-year old went on to become the World Number One. Indeed, he took the golf world by storm throughout the 2015 season. Little wonder then that the super talent from Texas should be leading The Masters from day one this year. Indeed, he has led at Augusta for the last seven rounds now. But in the third round on Saturday, Spieth, playing with Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), showed a dent in his armour as he struggled to string together his normal collection of birdies. Instead of surging ahead on the windy ‘moving day’, Spieth shot a 1-over par 73 which included two double bogeys and a bogey on the back nine. He now tees-off today as leader in the final round of The Masters by just one uncomfortable stroke.
Seasoned Masters Champion Langer turns back time
Grabbing the headlines on day three at Augusta were Bernhard Langer and Smylie Kaufman. Bernhard Langer? I hear you ask. Yes, the 58-year old German already has two Masters Green Jackets in his wardrobe having won at Augusta in 1985 and 1993. He is right there in the mix this year too. He is in real contention, in a share of third spot with Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), just two strokes behind Spieth. With drives averaging 60 yards less than the likes of young Spieth and McIlroy, Langer has shown that length isn’t everything. Although he is still using one of those elongated putters (in the newly approved manner, I hasten to add!). Yet even though veteran Langer is up against the new mega long-hitting generation, his extra decades of experience have stood him in good stead at a gusty Augusta with its ultra-slick greens so far this week.
Happy Rookie Smylie signs for a 69
So what about Smylie? A new name for many golf fans and one not to be confused with our European Tour pro Andy Sullivan from England whose nickname is ‘Smiley’. This is Smylie Kaufman’s first Masters. And what a Masters the young American is having. On Saturday, he entered the clubhouse a happy man after making three birdies in the last 6 holes. He signed for an impressive 69 to become the only player to break 70 in round three. At 2-under for the tournament (73-72-69), Smylie now tees-off with the defending champion on Sunday morning in the last pairing. A dream come true for the Rookie.
Jordan Spieth did have a difficult day on Saturday. But by putting the 4-8 footers unbelievably well he managed to limit the damage to just 1-over par. And that’s good news for golf fans around the world. The field has now opened up for the final day’s play. It is not only Spieth playing with a chance for back-to-back Masters victory, there is a real tussle at the top of the leaderboard. Just behind Kaufman, Langer and Matsuyama, there is World Number One from Australia Jason Day at level par along with Dustin Johnson (USA) and England’s Danny Willett, while Lee Westwood (runner-up to Phil Mickelson in 2010) is one shot back on +1 after finishing with a flourish of four birdies on the back nine yesterday. It’s already 20 years ago that Englishman Sir Nick Faldo won his third Green Jacket at Augusta. So another British win would be rather nice …
Enjoy the thrill of the final day of The Masters!
Wendy Hoad
Pictured: Bernhard Langer
Scheduled television coverage of the final day of The Masters on BBC 2 :
Sunday, 10th April 2016 18.30-24.00 hrs GMT (19.30-1.00 AMS) – Live coverage of the final day.