2 hours ago
video caption, Masters 2024: Ludvig Aberg, Scottie Scheffler and Shane Lowry with the best shots of the third day
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Third round rankings of the 2024 Masters |
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-7 Scheffler (USA); -6 Morikawa (USA); -5 Homa (USA); -4 Aberg (Switzerland); -3 DeChambeau (USA); -2 Hojgaard (Den), Schauffele (US), Davis (Aus) |
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Selected others:-1 Fleetwood (Eng); +1 Fitzpatrick (Eng); +3 McIlroy (NI), Zalatoris (USA), Hatton (Eng), Willett (Eng); +5 Cream (Spa); +11 Woods (USA) |
Collin Morikawa says chasing world number one Scottie Scheffler in Sunday's Masters finals at Augusta National “doesn't scare him.”
The two-time major champion is one shot behind the leader after posting a three-under 69 and improving to six under.
His American compatriot Max Homa and the talented Swedish debutant Ludvig Aberg are two and three shots behind, respectively.
“I really believe in what I can do,” Morikawa said after a thrilling third round in Georgia.
Morikawa burst onto the scene when he won the 2020 US PGA Championship in just his second appearance at a major.
He backed that up by winning the Open at Royal St. George's in 2021, but has won just once on the PGA Tour since then.
As the only player to have shot under par in all three rounds so far this week, he appears to have managed to unlock his game at just the right time.
He will likely have to be at his best on Sunday to overtake the world's best player Scheffler, who has won two of his last three events.
“It’s been a struggle the last few years,” Morikawa said. “I had to search and find something. That's not the case.” [always] It was fun, but it was fun to learn about the game and about myself.
“Scottie is the best player in the world for a reason and what he has achieved is incredible.”
“But it doesn’t scare me. I still know what I do best and what I can really do.”
Morikawa will be in the final group with the 2022 Masters champion – teeing off at 7:35pm BST – after Scheffler completed a rollercoaster 1-under 71.
After chipping in for birdie the first time and holed a huge birdie putt the third, he made a double bogey on the 10th and a bogey on the 11th, leaving him three shy of the lead.
However, he let out an uncharacteristic roar of triumph after sinking a 31-foot eagle putt on the 13th and birdied the final hole to ensure he took the clear lead on Sunday.
video caption, “You want noise, you got it!” – Scheffler makes eagle with 13
“You could see a little bit of emotion in me because it was an important time in the tournament,” he said. “It was nice to be able to get a few shots back.
“The golf course was extremely demanding and difficult. I’m definitely excited.” [Sunday].”
For Aberg, who will play in the penultimate group, this is not only his first Masters tournament, it is also his first major tournament ever, having only turned professional in June 2023.
He was part of the victorious European Ryder Cup team in October and will enter the final round three shots behind to become the first debutant to win since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.
“I think about it all the time,” he said. “Of course I’m a competitor and I want to win tournaments.”
The 24-year-old said he took “calculated risks” but remained “disciplined towards the goals” as he made his way.
“I don’t think you should shy away from it. I try to embrace it and be okay with everything that comes with it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau, who was the sole first-round leader and joint half-time leader, believes he has a “good opportunity” to add a maiden Masters title to his 2020 US Open triumph.
He had three three-putts on an uneven nine, dropping him from the top of the leaderboard to five, before holed an improbable birdie from 77 yards on the final spot, leaving him four putts behind.
“It's very hard to pursue, but I'm going to do my best where I can on this golf course,” he said.
“But I need to make some putts.”
There will be live commentary on ` Radio 5 Live, ` Sounds and the ` Sport website and app from 8pm, with live text coverage on the ` Sport website and app from 6.30pm.
video caption, DeChambeau hits an incredible 77-yard birdie on the 18th
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