Day 3 at the 2020 Masters
Posted on November 15, 2020
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Saturday at The Masters
Moving Day started with a bang. To get everyone into the clubhouse, it was a double tee start and the players finishing their 2nd rounds had a very short wait to get things going. Getting into position for the weekend was critical with 32 of the last 33 winners being within the top 10 heading into Moving Day.
Moving Day did not disappoint. At one stage early on in the 3rd round, there were 9 players tied for the lead.
Thereafter, the course never wasted any time in biting back. Suddenly there were more bogeys and doubles about. Players at the top and bottom were suddenly met with electric greens, that were not as receptive to chips and those long irons.
And everyone fell back, except for DJ who started to pull away with an eagle and 2 birdies to start his round, before posting 31 for the front 9 and ultimately signed for a 2nd 65 of the week and 54 hole tournament record of 16 under.
DJ in this form is imperious. He stands head and shoulders above his opponents. In recent years, he has developed a sense of steel and major consistency. With more than 20 PGA Tour wins is huge, wins in 11 consecutive seasons is the longest current streak, plus 5x major runner-ups - surely he is ready to add to his solitary major win from 2016.
The runner-up spots (of 5 for DJ) is an interesting stat not often mentioned: the list is Jack at 19, Phil 11, Arnie 10, Norman 8, Tiger 7, Ernie and GP 6, DJ and Monty 5, Louis 4. Pretty impressive company for DJ.
Chasing DJ are a mix of major champions and major hopefuls. However, its more of the hopefuls with those 4 shots back including 2 Masters rookies. Im and Ancer both showed a touch of class and consistency that the other big names lacked. Smith too (already a holder of a Masters top 5), was solid throughout - all pointing towards future Masters success.
The other more favoured chasers faltered: Rahmbo (still chasing that elusive major), JT and Rory. Each of them will have regrets from Masters 2020. Rahmbo’s topped 3 wood yesterday on the 8th spiralled him (we have seen him SHANK irons on the same before), JT’s back 9 on Saturday derailed him (even after a great birdie on 10) and Rory would love to replay round 1. Everyone has a regret come Sunday evening - it’s how you bounce back and perhaps one of these can make a charge. Rory knows the pressure of leading on Sunday and how quickly a lead can disappear on Amen corner or in butlers cabin to be precise (Masters BLOWOUTs).
Despite all of this, going into Final Day Sunday, DJ will be feeling confident. His form in the build up has been sensational which has also matched his own form at Augusta over the past 4 events.
Everything has been lining up for this. But as good as he has been, we should never forget Pebble, Chambers Bay, Royal St Georges and Whistling Straits and those meltdowns.
For a full view of the scores head to the