Unexpectedly, there will be golf on Sunday afternoon at Augusta National. And the struggle will be one at all times.
After three suspensions of the game, three fallen trees, early morning departures, disorderly schedules and exceptional temperature variations, we almost lost count. However, since the Masters Tournament is one of magic and possibility, the final round of the 87th edition will indeed take place. If Mother Nature will cooperate, a champion will be crowned and dressed on Sunday afternoon.
Brooks Koepka remained a shadow of himself on Sunday morning at the conclusion of the third round, interrupted the day before due to precipitation. He had 12 holes left to play. The American is still in the lead, of course, but he was less convincing than Friday and Saturday. He started the day with a bogey on the seventh hole. He resisted the offensives of Rahm, his pursuer and playing partner, but his performance in the short game was less effective.
It failed him on the 12th and especially on the 17th hole. On the latter, he needed three putts for the first time all week.
His priority has thinned. He completed his third round with a score of 73 (1). He nevertheless remains in control of the tournament with a priority of two shots. He will be the man to beat in the final round.
The stoppage of play the day before was beneficial for Jon Rahm. When the rain fell on the players, the Spaniard was unrecognizable. When the officials called it quits, he had just completed two bogeys.
However, on Sunday morning, he started the recovery with two immensely important birdies. The conditions were perfect and Rahm took his chance.
His putter saved him on more than one occasion, as is often the case. He made several good saves to stay in the game and on Koepka’s radar. At Augusta National, however, you end up getting burned from playing with fire. This is what happened to the 13th. His bullet embraced the cut without penetrating it.
He also gave a 1 at the end of the third round. If he wants to put on the green jacket, he will have to remain himself, therefore aggressive, without putting his feet in the dishes too often, because his putter will not be able to do it often every time.
Hovland had been impeccable on Thursday at the tournament opener. He had given a card of 65 (-7) without making a bogey.
Since then, he had slipped in the rankings, while remaining among the players to watch.
The 25-year-old Norwegian, with his big bobble hat, came back at the height of the race on the back nine. From the Amen Corner to the 15th hole, he birdied five straight. He finished his round with three pars. And if it weren’t for three slightly inaccurate putts, he could be even closer to Koepka and the top of the leaderboard. He has the wind in his sails.
He is currently in third position at -8 and will be in the last group to start.
What many feared finally materialized on Sunday morning. Tiger Woods withdrew for the final day of the tournament. He referred to plantar fasciitis pain on his Twitter account to justify his withdrawal.
The way he walked and struggled to stand on Saturday before the stoppage, this news is not surprising.
Either way, his playing was scrappy and erratic. By making it through the weekend rounds, he was still able to tie the record shared by Fred Couples and Gary Player for withstanding the cleaver for the 23rd time in a row.
