Scheffler grabs Masters lead

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Prime-ranked Scottie Scheffler battled by means of a back-nine shootout to grab a one-stroke lead over Collin Morikawa after Saturday’s third spherical of The Masters whereas Tiger Woods endured a nightmare collapse.

Scheffler’s exceptional shotmaking beneath stress, together with a clutch eight-foot birdie putt on the 18th gap to shoot a one-under par 71 and stand on seven-under 209, capped a wild spherical at Augusta Nationwide.

Scheffler, the 2022 Masters winner, misplaced the lead with a double-bogey at 10, recaptured it with an eagle at 13 and birdied two of the final 4 holes, success prompting fist-pumps from the usually mellow Texan.

“The putts had been vital to me. I attempt to feed off the optimistic power of seeing the ball go in,” Scheffler mentioned. “Did job of staying affected person, had the eagle at 13 and completed effectively.”

Scheffler made 4 birdies, three bogeys, an eagle and a double-bogey to carry off US compatriot Morikawa, a two-time Main winner who fired a 69 to face on six-under 210.

“You give your self an opportunity with 18 holes left, that’s all you possibly can actually do and every thing that you just follow for,” Morikawa mentioned. “It’s going to be a grind, and I’m trying ahead to that.

American Max Homa was third on five-under 211 after a 73 with Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, making his first Main look, fourth on four-under 212.

Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open champion, holed out from 77 yards on the 18th for birdie to shoot 75 and stand fifth on three-under 213, 4 photographs again.

“Gave myself an opportunity,” DeChambeau mentioned. “If I could make some putts tomorrow, I believe I can have alternative.”

Woods, a 15-time Main winner, fired his worst-ever Masters spherical, a 10-over 82, to face on 11-over 227 and stumble out of competition for a record-tying sixth Inexperienced Jacket and document high prize of $3.6-million.

“I used to be not hitting it superb or placing effectively,” Woods mentioned. “Simply hit the ball in all of the locations that I do know I shouldn’t hit it.”

Oddsmakers’ darling Scheffler, the 2022 Masters champion, may be a part of Woods as the one gamers to win the Masters twice whereas world No 1.

Scheffler, holed out a 32-yard birdie chip on the 1st gap, sank a 34-foot birdie putt on the third earlier than a bogey on the par-three 4th.

He went over the tenth inexperienced along with his strategy and three-putted for double-bogey then missed a five-foot par putt at 11.

Scheffler bounced again with a shocking 31-foot eagle putt on the par-five thirteenth and an 11-foot birdie putt on the par-five fifteenth to grab the lead and answered a bogey at 17 along with his closing birdie.

Scottie Scheffler birdies No. 18 to shut out the third spherical atop the chief board. #themasters pic.twitter.com/2F8FoOmRUp

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2024

Morikawa, the 2020 PGA Championship and 2021 Open champion, sank a 27-foot birdie putt on the 1st gap, a six-foot birdie putt on the par-five 2nd then birdied from 11 toes on the third.

After a bogey on the par-three sixth and birdie on the par-five eighth, he parred his option to the clubhouse, hitting each fairway for the primary time in any Main.

Aberg, a member of Europe’s triumphant 2023 Ryder Cup squad, fired a 70 in his bid to turn out to be the primary rookie to win the Inexperienced Jacket since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

“I give it some thought on a regular basis,” Aberg mentioned of what would possibly occur. “I don’t assume you need to shrink back from it. I attempt to embrace it and be OK with all that comes with it.”

Woods, who a day earlier made The Masters minimize for a document twenty fourth consecutive time, had bogeys on 4 of his final 5 holes to soar previous his prior worst Masters complete – 78s within the third and fourth rounds in 2022.

“I used to be not hitting it superb or placing effectively,” Woods mentioned. “I missed a whole lot of putts. Straightforward, makable putts.”

His six-over 42 on the entrance 9 was one other Masters profession worst.

Second-ranked Rory McIlroy, who wanted a Masters win for a profession grand slam, shot 71 to face on three-over 219.

“I’ve simply obtained to maintain displaying up and attempt to do the suitable factor,” McIlroy mentioned.

Third-ranked Jon Rahm, the defending champion, fired a 72 to face on five-over 221.

Erik van Rooyen, the one South African to make the minimize, was nine-over 225 after carding 78.