Masters Weekend Has Three-Way Tie And More Forgiving Conditions. It Also Has Tiger Woods

AUGUSTA, Georgia – Perhaps the best bonus for the 60 players who survived one of the most windy, difficult days at the Masters was a weekend at Augusta National that was significantly more enjoyable.

Flags were flying, not crackling, as the third round began Saturday. It was shaping to be a day more conducive to scoring and survival.

Masters Weekend Has Three-Way Tie And More Forgiving Conditions. It Also Has Tiger Woods

“This weekend is going to be enjoyable. Hopefully, there will be some opportunities to make a run,” said Phil Mickelson, a three-time champion competing in his 31st Masters. Last year, he finished in second place with a 65. Lefty understands the concept of opportunity.

Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, and Max Homa shared the lead at 6-under 138 entering the third round. They were two shots ahead of Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard, who has reason to feel he may become the first player since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 to win the Masters on his first attempt.

Tiger Woods will also play this weekend, as he always does at Augusta National when he is well enough to compete. He made a record on Friday by cutting for the 24th time in a row, dating back to his debut year as a professional.

Masters Weekend Has Three-Way Tie And More Forgiving Conditions. It Also Has Tiger Woods

Woods shot 72 on a day with an average score of 75.09, the highest for the Masters’ second round since 2007 when it was windy and cold. Only eight players broke par, matching the number of players who scored 80 or higher.

“I am here. “I have a chance to win the golf tournament,” Woods stated.

Saturday is commonly referred to as moving day, and Woods and everyone else have a lot of moving ahead of them. Woods was seven strokes back, but he had 21 players in front of him.

Fourteen players began the third round under par, four of whom have previously won a major: Scheffler and DeChambeau, Collin Morikawa, and Cameron Smith.

Masters Weekend Has Three-Way Tie And More Forgiving Conditions. It Also Has Tiger Woods

When play began, one thing was certain: the walk through the azaleas and dogwoods would be more delightful than playing in 40-mph winds that swept bunker sand into players’ faces and the greens, scattering magnolia leaves all over the course.

“We ended the day with a sand shower. So it was kind of the golf course saying, ‘Get the hell out of here,'” Homa said after finishing his round on Friday.

On Saturday, it seemed more like, “Welcome back.”

SOURCE – (AP)