Augusta (United States) (AFP) – Top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler’s bid for back-to-back Masters titles suffered a major blow when he could only manage a level-par 72 in Saturday’s third round at Augusta National. The 28-year-old American — who would match Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, and Jack Nicklaus as the only Masters winners in consecutive years — managed two birdies and two bogeys to stand on five-under 211 after 54 holes.
“At times I felt good. At times I felt bad. I just couldn’t really get anything going,” Scheffler said. “I ended up with even, which felt like I had to scramble a lot today, actually.” Scheffler birdied the par-five second and 15 holes and was composed after making five bogeys Friday to match his worst in any Masters round.
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“I got off to a good start, but after that I didn’t really feel like I gave myself enough opportunities, and the opportunities that I did have, I didn’t really quite take advantage of,” Scheffler said of his third round. Scheffler, who also won the 2022 Masters, was seven adrift of 54-hole leader Rory McIlroy, and only that close because he sank a 10-foot par putt at 18.
“There’s probably a few putts and shots throughout the day that would have, if they went differently, I think the day may have turned a little bit,” Scheffler said. “The golf course is challenging. You’ve got to play really well to shoot a low score, which I feel like I’m very capable of; I just wasn’t able to do it today.” Scheffler struggled with his shotmaking, rescuing pars from afar for much of the round.
“You can only shoot so low if you’re going to have to wedge it from 100 yards to make par,” Scheffler said. “Today and yesterday were days where I could have shot myself out of the tournament. I battled really hard both days. Today I made some great up-and-downs. Some of the spots I put myself in I felt like was a decent job of only making two bogeys.”
Scheffler hopes to find some magic with the putter to contend on Sunday. “Going into tomorrow, have a good front nine and start moving my way up the leaderboard and you never know what can happen on the back nine,” he said. “Just try to get off to a good start, hole a few more putts.”
He’s not particularly worried about having to chase down McIlroy, who can complete a career Grand Slam with a Masters victory. “It doesn’t matter to me who’s on top of the leaderboard. I try to shoot the lowest score I can shoot on a given day,” Scheffler said. “And today apparently that was only even par.”
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