The quality of golf seen today at Augusta National was some of the most entertaining and thrilling seen on tour this year. If Day Three was turned into a movie it would be called “Master vs The Apprentice”.
Phil Mickelson produced without doubt the shot of the Tournament on the 15th today when he hit an amazing flop shot from just off the green to land it inside 5 foot for an easy birdie. Most golfers would never consider playing such a shot, and that is what stands Phil apart from most of the field.
He opened with nine straight Pars on the front nine today then had the back nine at his mercy as he reeled off four birdies and an eagle to post an impressive -6 to take him to -8 for the Tournament and into second place on his own.
With 48 career victories to his name and 3 Green Jackets already in his keeping it would be a brave man to suggest he wont go on to claim his fourth Masters tomorrow.
If Phil is considered the ‘Master’ in this script, then Peter Hanson is the “Apprentice’ who is not giving an inch in this titanic battle. Hanson was at his majestic best today as he carded a tournament best round for the week with a -7 to put him at -9 and into first place.
After opening with a bogie at the first hole he then went on to shoot eight birdies with five of them coming on the back nine. His long birdie putt on the 17th took him to the top of the leaderboard. At he 18th his exceptional iron play got him to within a metre of the hole to finish his round with a tap in birdie.
The 34 year Swede is now in the position to be Swedens first ever Major winner. With ten career victories to his name this Sunday could bring him his greatest victory as well as hero status in his homeland. The way he is playing at the moment he is sure to make this a very interesting final pairing with Mickelson.
A further shot back in third place on -7 is 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen who shot a three under Par 69. He is sure to be nipping at the heels of the two guys infront of him as he tries to win his second career Major.
On -6 and in fourth place is Bubba Watson who has been plotting his way around Augusta very well. He just needs to stick a few more putts in the whole if he is to contend tomorrow. MAtt Kuchar rounds out the Top 5 at -5. He seemed to be cruising along at one stage today after three birdies on the front nine, however he dropped shots on 13 and 16 to bring him back to the field.
The chasing pack at -4 includes Hunter Mahan 68, Henrik Stenson 70, Padraig Harrington 68 and Lee Westwood 72.
Tiger Woods carded an even Par 72 to sit on +3 in a share of 38th and out of contention. It didnt help his cause when you look at his stats for the week. He hit 59% of Greens and 59% of fairways. With stats like that you dont win Majors.
Rory McIlroy shot a 5 over par 77 today and dropped back to a tie for 27th. Judging on his play today he still has bad memories of his meltdown last year.
The viewing public are in for a great treat tomorrow as we wait to see who will be the Major Champion for 2012.
As the PGA Tour advert says.. “These guys are good!”.