As the third round of the Masters came to a close, Max Homa found himself in contention despite not having made a birdie in 29 holes. The leaderboard was tightly packed, with the possibility of a dramatic finish or even a playoff looming. Scottie Scheffler held the lead, but with 11 others within six shots, the competition was fierce. High winds on Friday and slick greens on Saturday had kept scoring in check after a low-scoring first round from Bryson DeChambeau.
Despite Scheffler’s strong start to the tournament, others were making their moves. First-year pro Ludvig Aberg broke 70 on Friday, with only two sub-70 scores on Saturday. Collin Morikawa’s 69 on Saturday put him in the final group on Sunday alongside Scheffler. Scoring conditions were expected to be more favorable on Sunday, with lighter winds and the potential for birdies and eagles as Augusta National typically sets up the course for an exciting final round.
While the focus was on the top three players, don’t be surprised if a player who is a few shots back, like Cameron Smith or Xander Schauffele, makes a late charge. Bryson DeChambeau finished with a disappointing 75 on Saturday but closed with a birdie after hitting his drive into the trees. The competition was heating up as players vied for the chance to become a Masters champion.
Heading into the final round, the winner was likely to come from the group of contenders who were hitting the ball the best. Players who excelled in strokes gained, tee to green, were in a strong position to make a move on Sunday. Scottie Scheffler’s strong drives and iron play gave him an advantage, while players like Byeong Hun An and Patrick Cantlay were also in the mix. Max Homa, the sentimental favorite, remained calm and focused despite not having made a birdie in his last 32 holes.
As the tournament headed into its final day, anticipation was high for what was sure to be an exciting finish. With the leaderboard tightly packed and several players within striking distance, fans could expect a battle for the iconic green jacket at the Masters. The stage was set for a thrilling day of golf at Augusta National as players prepared to tee off and compete for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.
