| Patrick Reed leads by three from Rory McIlroy |
The first Major of the season was billed as one of the most eagerly anticipated in many years and the event is certainly living up to the hype, especially on an enthralling moving day which saw Reed, McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood all shoot in the mid-60s.
Nine of the top 12 players in the Official World Golf Ranking were within the top 15 of the leaderboard after round three, but it was the World Number 24 Reed who stole the show and delighted the patrons with four birdies and two eagles helping him to a five under 67 and a 14 under total.
Five shots clear of the field after an eagle at the 15th, Reed suffered a bogey on the 16th hole soon after McIlroy had put the galleries into raptures with a closing birdie to finish off a stunning third round 65, meaning it was just a three-stroke difference heading into the final day.
Fowler is five shots off Reed’s lead in third place on nine under par, while Rahm is one further back on eight under – both having signed for 67s.
Player quotes:
Patrick Reed
“I think the biggest thing this week is just going out and playing golf. I’m trying not to allow the moment to take over me, really just go out and play some golf and just hit golf shots.
“I feel like I'm hitting the ball well enough, I feel like I'm putting well enough. I just need to go out and play the game and not worry about everything else and just play golf.
“It's going to be a lot of fun tomorrow. Obviously we're both playing really solid golf, and to be able to go into a final round on Sunday at the first major and go up against each other and go out and play some good golf, it's going to be a lot of fun to go out there. But really, I'm just going to do my thing and stick to my game plan and go out and enjoy my Sunday.”
Rory McIlroy
“It was a great day. I'm closer to the lead than I was starting off the day, which a bonus, especially when you see Patrick go out and shoot 67 and obviously play very well.
“I rode my luck a little bit out there - the chip‑in on the eighth hole, finding my ball in the azaleas on 13, not the first time. Then hitting the tree on 18 and coming back in the fairway and making a birdie from that.
“I rode my luck a little bit out there today. Hopefully I don't have to rely on it too much tomorrow, but it was just a great day. To get myself into the final group, and have a chance to win another major, I'm excited. You couldn't ask for much more out of today.”
THIRD ROUND SCORES
par 216 (3x72)
202 P Reed (USA) 69 66 67,
205 R McIlroy (Nir) 69 71 65,
207 R Fowler (USA) 70 72 65,
208 J Rahm (Esp) 75 68 65,
209 H Stenson (Swe) 69 70 70,
210 B Watson (USA) 73 69 68, T Fleetwood (Eng) 72 72 66, M Leishman (Aus) 70 67 73,
211 J Spieth (USA) 66 74 71, J Thomas (USA) 74 67 70,
212 D Johnson (USA) 73 68 71,
213 J Rose (Eng) 72 70 71, L Oosthuizen (RSA) 71 71 71, C Smith (Aus) 71 72 70,
215 J Walker (USA) 73 71 71, T Finau (USA) 68 74 73, J Day (Aus) 75 71 69, C Hoffman (USA) 69 73 73, M Kuchar (USA) 68 75 72, B Wiesberger (Aut) 70 73 72,
216 S Kodaira (Jpn) 71 74 71, A Hadwin (Can) 69 75 72, F Molinari (Ita) 72 74 70, M Fitzpatrick (Eng) 75 74 67, H Matsuyama (Jpn) 73 71 72, K Kisner (USA) 72 75 69, S Kim (Kor) 75 73 68, R Henley (USA) 73 72 71,
217 H Li (Chn) 69 76 72,
218 J Vegas (Ven) 77 69 72, A Scott (Aus) 75 73 70, D Berger (USA) 73 74 71, Z Johnson (USA) 70 74 74, R Moore (USA) 74 72 72, P Casey (Eng) 74 75 69,
219 W Simpson (USA) 76 73 70, R Cabrera Bello (Esp) 69 76 74, F Couples (USA) 72 74 73, B Langer (Ger) 74 74 71,
220 T Woods (USA) 73 75 72, B Grace (RSA) 73 73 74, B Dechambeau (USA) 74 74 72,
221 X Schauffele (USA) 71 78 72, K Aphibarnrat (Tha) 79 70 72, K Stanley (USA) 72 74 75, M Kaymer (Ger) 74 73 74,
222 T Hatton (Eng) 74 75 73, C Reavie (USA) 76 71 75, D Ghim (am) (USA) 72 76 74,
223 B Harman (USA) 73 74 76, P Mickelson (USA) 70 79 74, I Poulter (Eng) 74 75 74,
224 V Singh (Fij) 71 74 79,
Labels: MASTERS
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Sunday, April 08, 2018
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