What it means: Spieth started the day with a one-shot lead, and after a run of back-nine birdies he boosted his advantage to four shots with three holes to play.
Advertisement
“I know I have to shoot a significant under-par round tomorrow in order to win this tournament, when I could have played a different style of golf like I did on Sunday a year ago”.
He sits just three shots back of world No. 2 Spieth, who dropped three shots in his final two holes to rejuvenate the chasing pack.
Gusting winds created second-round havoc at Augusta National but could not blow Jordan Spieth from the top of the Masters leaderboard on Friday while helping lift Rory McIlroy’s career grand slam bid. He traded shots with a birdie at the par-five second hole with a bogey at the par-four 11 to sit at even-par for the day as he made his way around Amen Corner. I was at a four shot lead and we were, what, 16 under. Johnson shot a 71 on Friday and added a third-round 72.
On the 30-year anniversary of Jack Nicklaus becoming the oldest Masters champion at 46, Langer now has a chance to become the oldest victor of any major by 10 years. If I am to take heart from anything then it’s the fact Jordan has just let a lot of people in after his finish. He did just that, made his par and began an important climb back into contention.
“That wasn’t a fun last couple holes to play from the position I was in”, said Spieth, who also had a bogey at 17 to surrender three shots over his last two holes.
1-under – Bernhard Langer, Hideki Matsuyams.
Asked why he felt so strongly about McIlroy’s chances, Haas said, “I haven’t gotten to play with him a ton, just a few times”.
“I’ve just got to slowly try to inch my way back into this tournament if I can”, Day said, “and be patient with myself and hopefully I’m there by Sunday”.
Matsuyama was on his way to a really good round until his putting cost him two bogeys over the final three holes. Eleven players were within five shots of the lead, and that even includes McIlroy, who didn’t make a birdie in his round of 77.
“It’s a tough finish [Spieth bogeyed 17 and double bogeyed 18] but he’ll come out here and speak to you guys [media] and be positive and still be in the lead”. Among the first 14 players, there has been one birdie, four pars, six bogeys and three doubles.
“I think it’s just from playing a variety of sports growing up, he was a leader in high school with public speaking and I think that helped him to be comfortable being in front of people”, Alan Kaufman said.
“He’s probably 1000-0 [against me]”, said Kaufman, who won the Shriners Hospital for Children Open earlier this season on the PGA Tour, shooting a final-round 61. When the cheers subsided, Langer chipped in from 40 feet for birdie.
Advertisement
Next up will be the surprise packet of Kaufman, playing in just his second major and in the final pairing with the defending champion.
