Chasers still dangerous
This isn’t a two‑man tournament — Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns and others remain within striking distance because the course played softer and more scoreable into the weekend. (youtube.com) (youtube.com). Analysts pegged about 13‑under as a plausible winning mark and specifically named Burns, Jason Day and Scheffler as players who could close the gap if leaders wobble. (youtube.com)
Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young start Sunday tied for the Masters lead at 11-under, but the tournament still runs several names deep. (espn.com) Sam Burns is one shot back at 10-under after a third-round 68, Shane Lowry is two back at 9-under, and Jason Day and Justin Rose begin the final round at 8-under. Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, shot 65 on Saturday and moved to 7-under. (espn.com) (pgatour.com) That stack formed because Augusta National gave up scores on Saturday. Ten players shot 68 or better, and the field’s 70.63 average was a third-round record, according to ESPN. (espn.com) McIlroy had taken a record six-shot lead into the weekend, then shot 73 in the third round and gave the field an opening. Young, who began Saturday eight back, made eight birdies in a 65 to erase the gap. (sports.yahoo.com) (espn.com) The final-round pairings show how close the chase remains. Burns and Lowry tee off at 11:14 a.m. Pacific time, Day and Rose at 11:03 a.m., Scheffler and Haotong Li at 10:52 a.m., and Young with McIlroy in the last group at 11:25 a.m. (pgatour.com) Scheffler is the most proven closer in that group. ESPN said Saturday’s 65 was his career low at the Masters, and he enters Sunday seeking a third green jacket after opening the week with 70 and 74. (espn.com 1) (espn.com 2) Burns and Day bring different pressure. Burns opened the tournament with a 67 and has never won a major, while Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner, is chasing his first Masters title from three shots off the lead. (golfweek.usatoday.com) (espn.com) The leaderboard also reaches beyond the biggest names. Patrick Cantlay and Russell Henley are at 6-under, and Collin Morikawa is at 5-under, which leaves little room for a steady par round at the top. (espn.com) Sunday starts with two co-leaders, but Saturday turned the Masters from a runaway into a crowded finish. Anyone near 13-under may still have a chance if the leaders trade mistakes again. (espn.com) (apnews.com)
