(AP Photo/David J. Phillip).
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” He’s just another competitor who’s fully capable of shooting a really solid round and winning this tournament again, which would be something afterwards”.
With birdies on the par 5s and a bonus birdie from a 40-foot putt on the par-3 16th, McIlroy recovered for a 1-under 71 that left him one shot behind Jordan Spieth and in the final group going into the weekend. “I’m not quite at their distance, but I try to make up for it in other areas”.
Five shots is a massive gap to make up on the final day of a major, but there are a few factors working in the Irishman’s favour.
He said anyone breaking par Saturday could move into the lead from as far back as 25th place.
And then it all fell apart. Jack Nicklaus was the oldest Masters champion, at 46.
Phil Mickelson lamented his poor course management after compiling his worst score at Augusta National, a 79, to also miss the cut. Aggressive play by 58-year-old Bernard Langer, Masters newcomer Smylie Kaufman and several others kept McIlroy sliding down the standings, most likely dashing his hopes for the elusive green jacket.
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts to his putt on the ninth hole during the third round of the Masters golf tournament Saturday, April 9, 2016, in Augusta, Ga. Available for pre-order, the shoes cost $199.99 on UA’s website and ship May 2. “I need to regroup and stay positive and go out and attack tomorrow”.
This didn’t look like one of those Masters that would start on the back nine Sunday.
US Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau, a 22-year-old American who turns professional next week, nearly spoiled the star duo but a triple-bogey at 18 dropped him to level par overall.
Spieth also double bogeyed the 11th hole when he was ahead by three strokes.
“I had a four-shot lead and everything was going right”.
“I believe I can win”. He shot 41 on the back nine for a 73, and was runner-up for the second time in three years.
Almost as surprising as Langer being two shots behind is McIlroy still even having a chance.
If Langer can win his third green jacket, he will be the oldest major champion by 10 years, beating Julius Boros’ 48 years when he won the 1968 PGA.
But he bogeyed No. 17 when he pushed his tee shot into the pines off the fairway, pitched short of the green and left his third shot 19 feet from the hole. Day has not finished any of his rounds with a flurry, playing the final four holes in a combined 6 over with no birdies in three days.
The biggest surprise was Langer, who won the first of his two Masters in 1993, three months before Spieth was born. But he missed the birdie putt, and when he hit into a bunker and failed to save par on the 17th, it was over.
He finished at 5-under 283 for a three-shot victory over Spieth and Lee Westwood (69).
“I mean honestly, I think it will be tough to put it behind”.
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Adam Scott’s tilt is effectively over after he battled his way to a three-over 75 on Saturday to drop to a seven-over 223, currently 10 shots adrift. “I have to understand, this is the position I want to be in after 54 holes and not think about the finish to this round”. McIlroy hasn’t played the conditions well at all, but they should be more favourable this afternoon.
