But the reality was more like a dud.
Advertisement
Haas was talking about the rough and windy conditions at Augusta National when he mentioned one of his playing partners, McIlroy, the four-time major victor who is searching for his first Masters title and who stands at 3 under after 36 holes, only one stroke off Spieth’s lead. “You have to try to forget about it and move on, ” he said.
Hey, if you’re leading The Masters at 70 percent one has to wonder what 100 percent looks like. And tied for 11th, the Irishman still has his work cut out for him on Sunday. It’s not out of the question.
“I’m really happy with the round and how I grinded and battled out there”, McIlroy said.
“I sort of take a bit of heart from that, that I’m still in this golf tournament”. “I think it’s really cool what he’s doing, but not surprising”.
The American superstar had a four-shot lead standing on the 17th tee in his third round.
“But I need to get off to a fast start tomorrow”. Among the first 14 players, there has been one birdie, four pars, six bogeys and three doubles.
The wind has made things hard at Augusta this year, Billy Horschel becoming the next victim. Golf’s governing bodies ruled that anchored putters can no longer be used, starting this year. He had to play it as is was. In other words, good-scoring conditions. He is a combined 5-over par on Nos. Kaufman fired a 3-under 69 and it could have easily been two better as he lipped out birdie putts on the 17th and 18th.
Jordan Spieth (11-10) – You’re barely getting more than even odds on Spieth at this point. “Because I knew what was going to happen”. “I didn’t have my scuba gear to play it from the water”.
“(I have to) understand it’s the position I wanted to be in after 54 holes and not think about the finish to this round.
“So I just kept on saying to myself, “just keep grinding out, just keep trying to get your birdies when you can, minimise mistakes, and just be patient with yourself”. Langer is in terrific shape and was putting lights-out Saturday. But Augusta is a young man’s course, which is why Watson played the Masters for the final time this year and Ian Woosnam, who is actually a few months younger than Langer, announced Friday he was done after shooting two rounds in the 80s. Lee Westwood, the former No. 1, shot 1 under on Saturday and is in a three-way tie for eighth at 1 over, along with Brandt Snedeker and Soren Kjeldsen.
“Today was a good day”, Kaufman said.
“He always does. He’s one of the best ballstrikers I’ve ever seen play”. Maybe there’s one waiting for a 24-year-old named Smylie. That’s what leaves me a little uneasy compared to previous year. The world No. 51 on Friday improved his performance as he carded 73 to add to his opening round of 76.
Jason Day (11-2) – What did I say yesterday? Both hit the ball a mile. “I’ll be fine. It’s tough”. I felt I righted the ship over the last seven holes, but I had a lot of chances coming in and didn’t take any. “So I’m very pleased with the way I’m playing, I’m very pleased with my position”.
Advertisement
He opened with a routine par but then failed to birdie the very gettable par-five second hole when his approach fanned way right into the crowds.
