Key occasions
Ludvig Aberg’s second into 9 is a bit careless, ending up 36 toes behind the flag. He’s confronted with a tough downhill putt on a treacherous and notorious inexperienced – placing again down the golf green shouldn’t be past the realms – however dribbles a sensational right-to-left swinger that picks up tempo and drops into the centre of the cup! By no means (ahem) doubtful! He rolls his eyes and smiles broadly. Simply as effectively that hit the cup, as a result of it was travelling. But it surely’s a birdie! He claps fingers with the patrons as he walks as much as the tenth tee, one among them by accident knocking the facility bar he’s munching on out of his hand. Aberg stares on the gallery, then hangs his head in theatrical distress, earlier than strolling off laughing. He’s on cloud 9 in the meanwhile … and on high of the chief board alongside Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa at -7! However not for lengthy, as a result of …
Danny Willett pars 18 and indicators for a last spherical of 78. That’s a complete ten pictures worse than his extraordinarily spectacular opening spherical, however the 2016 champion shall be completely happy along with his +9 end nonetheless, coming again forward of schedule from shoulder surgical procedure as he’s.
Scottie Scheffler tickles in his straight birdie putt and for a second is the only real chief of the Masters. Collin Morikawa joins him seconds later, although, along with his first birdie of the day. In the meantime the closing stretch seems like costing Tyrrell Hatton once more; a bogey at 17 and he slips again to -1. Bogey additionally for Nicolai Hojgaard at 10.
-7: Scheffler (8), Morikawa (8)
-6: Homa (8), Aberg (8)
-3: Fleetwood (11), DeChambeau (9)
-2: Smith (10), Schauffele (9)
-1: Hatton (17), Davis (10), Hojgaard (10)
Collin Morikawa has been quietly parring his manner round Augusta Nationwide. Seven in a row right this moment. However he’s wanting good to interrupt that run on the par-five eighth. From 110 yards he screeches a wedge to a halt, pin excessive, 4 toes from the flag. In the meantime Scottie Scheffler, having despatched his second over the again proper of the inexperienced, bumps a delicate chip seven toes previous. He’ll have a reasonably straight birdie putt coming again up the hill. Two massive birdie putts developing.
Ludvig Aberg catches his wedge up from the swale to the facet of 8 a bit skinny. The ball fails to chunk on the inexperienced and topples over the again. It’s a tough up and down to avoid wasting par now. Within the meantime, Max Homa lags a 53-foot eagle putt as much as a few toes, and that’s his second birdie in seven holes after a 34-hole watch for the third. Aberg elects to putt up from the again, and although his first one breaks virtually 90 levels to the proper and rolls a few shaky toes away, he makes the par saver. It’s a four-way tie on the high now!
-6: Homa (8), Aberg (8), Scheffler (7), Morikawa (7)
-3: Fleetwood (10), DeChambeau (8)
Ludvig Aberg crashes his tee shot 312 yards down 8, then sends his fairway wooden extensive proper of the inexperienced from 250 or so. He’ll have fairly a job getting up and down from that swale if he desires a birdie that’d take him into the lead on his personal. In the meantime right here’s Simon McMahon. “If DeChambeau stays underneath par by 72 holes, he’ll have been in crimson figures for the complete match, having birdied the primary on Thursday, after which remaining underneath par ever since (I believe). That’s most likely occurred extra typically than I think about, however nonetheless, it’d be some effort from the large man, particularly at Augusta.
Scottie Scheffler’s tee shot at 7 sails in the direction of the bushes down the left, then pings throughout to the second lower on the proper. He’s compelled to clack a low second underneath some branches and into the bunker on the entrance of the inexperienced, hoping to stand up and down the proportion play. He can solely splash out to 10 toes, although, and the left-to-right slider stays excessive on the left-hand facet. One more near-miss birdie effort for the par-crazy Collin Morikawa, and immediately there’s a three-way lead on the high. What a Masters we’ve got right here!
-6: Aberg (7), Scheffler (7), Morikawa (7)
-5: Homa (7)
-3: Fleetwood (10), DeChambeau (8)
-2: Hatton (15), Smith (9), Hojgaard (8), Schauffele (8)
Time to remind ourselves that Ludvig Aberg is making his major-championship debut right here. No person has received a serious on debut since 2011, when Keegan Bradley made off with the PGA; earlier than that it was Ben Curtis on the Open in 2003. In the meantime no one’s received the Masters on debut since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. The one different two debutants to win the Masters don’t actually matter if we’re being trustworthy with ourselves: Horton Smith in 1934, the primary match, so someone needed to, and Gene Sarazen one yr later, when it wasn’t precisely a statistical jaw-dropper. If Aberg does this … effectively, let’s not get forward of ourselves. However y’know.
Again on 7, Max Homa whips his second over the bushes to the entrance of inexperienced. He utilises the bowl surrounding the flag to convey his chip in to eight toes, however his par saver lips out. Passing him on the leaderboard the opposite manner, his associate Ludvig Aberg, who wedges calmly from 100 yards to 4 toes, and tidies up for his second birdie of the day!
-7: Scheffler (6)
-6: Aberg (7), Morikawa (6)
-5: Homa (5)
-3: Fleetwood (9), DeChambeau (7)
-2: Hatton (14), Smith (8), Hojgaard (8)
Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa take turns to almost drain mid-range birdie putts on 6. Neither of those main winners appears to have situated their A-game but. In the meantime there’s a four-putt for Rory McIlroy on 13. Admittedly it was from one of the best a part of 75 toes, however nonetheless. A bogey, having technically putted for eagle. We’ve all accomplished it numerous occasions, proper? (The four-putt half, that’s, not the putting-for-eagle bit.)
A high quality par for Cameron Smith on the par-five eighth. High-quality contemplating he needed to play his second shot out of the bushes on his knees. He stays at -2. In the meantime up on 18, par for the defending champion Jon Rahm. A last spherical of 76 and he ends the week at +9. Not a lot of a defence, however a minimum of he made the lower, which he didn’t appear like doing for some time.
Max Homa has been so regular all week. A primary-round 67, since when he’s made three birdies, two bogeys, and 37 pars. He received’t need to get out of that rhythm now, so a snap-hook into the bushes down 7 is most unwelcome. Ludvig Aberg in the meantime whistles one straight down the center.
Scottie Scheffler finds the guts of the tough fifth with two high quality whacks. His second, from 193 yards to 10 toes, units up a high quality birdie likelihood, however the mild left-to-right slider stays out on the left. Collin Morikawa continues his run of pars. In the meantime up on 14, Tyrrell Hatton lotions his second pin excessive to 6 toes, however misreads the possibility to maneuver to -3, the place he stays after tapping dwelling.
A beautiful two-putt par from Ludvig Aberg on the par-three sixth. He’d landed his tee shot on the ridge operating by the inexperienced, the ball turning away from the flag and rolling 70 toes away. He has to present the uphill putt previous whack, and sends it ten toes previous. However cool as you want, he strokes it into the centre of the cup. A correct momentum-saver. Whether or not that’s rattled Max Homa or not is unclear … however Homa’s shorter birdie effort is all the time staying excessive on the proper. Pars for the pair of them, however one man shall be feeling significantly better than the opposite.
One of many pictures of the week on the par-three sixth by Max Homa. The pin’s tucked away again proper; he bumps his tee shot off the financial institution to the proper of the inexperienced, the ball gathering spherical and stopping eight toes behind the flag. Sensational, and a terrific likelihood to grab a share of the lead. In the meantime at 13, Tyrrell Hatton goes for it along with his second shot. His ball falls off the again of the inexperienced, however he lags up from the perimeter, a 60-foot putt that rolls gently throughout 59 of them. In goes the birdie putt and he’s -2.
Scottie Scheffler sends his tee shot at 4 over the again of the par-three. He underhits the chip coming again up, the ball solely simply squeaking onto the inexperienced, and there’s to be no scrambled par this time.
-7: Scheffler (4)
-6: Homa (5), Morikawa (4)
-5: Aberg (5)
-3: Fleetwood (7), DeChambeau (6)
Tyrrell Hatton goes alongside very properly. Birdies at 2, 6, 10 and now 12, and he’s moved into crimson figures at -1. Solely downside is, he’s not loved the closing stretch right here this week: he’s dropped eight strokes over the 5 closing holes, a document that features two double bogeys. If he manages to interrupt that development and maintain it collectively right this moment, he’s on for his finest end right here, simply beating his tie for 18th three years in the past. Godspeed.
Bryson DeChambeau’s restoration continues apace! He gap a 30-foot putt from the perimeter at 5 and that’s back-to-back birdies to wipe out the early pair of bogeys! If he’s taken a coverage determination to play the remainder of this spherical in a devil-may-care perspective with the handbrake off, the remainder of the sphere be careful. Both manner, this may absolutely be entertaining. He’s again to -3.
Tommy Fleetwood is doing all he can to haul himself into competition. He lotions his strategy at 7 from 106 yards to 5 toes, and in goes the putt for his second birdie of the day. He’s -3. Again on 4, pars for Ludvig Aberg and Max Homa, the latter saving the day with a wonderfully weighted lengthy bunker shot. And on 3, Scottie Scheffler drives into the bunker on the entrance of the inexperienced, then splashes out to a few toes. In goes the putt, and regardless of practically transport pictures on the primary two holes, he’s saved his par on each of them earlier than extending his lead. That’s steadied issues properly.
-8: Scheffler (3)
-6: Homa (4), Morikawa (3)
-5: Aberg (4)
A par on the 18th for final yr’s joint runner-up Phil Mickelson. He indicators for a 74 right this moment and finishes the week at +8. That’s a shot higher than the person he shared second spot with 12 months in the past. A 75 right this moment for Brooks Koepka, who made 4 bogeys within the final six holes, and he ends the week at +9.
He’s but to expertise the again 9 on Sunday, after all, however Ludvig Aberg appears unflappable. His chip into 3 topples off the facet of the inexperienced, however a relaxed up and down retains him at -5. Max Homa practically makes it two birdies in a row, in London Buses vogue, however his 15-foot right-to-left roller dies an inch earlier than the outlet. Faucet-in par, and he stays in a share of second. A backwards transfer in the meantime for Cam Smith at 5, as he fails to make a sandy par.
-7: Scheffler (2)
-6: Homa (3), Morikawa (2)
-5: Aberg (3)
-3: Schauffele (4)
-2: Fleetwood (6), Smith (6), DeChambeau (4)
Scottie Scheffler’s nerves betray him as he touches his ball whereas addressing the chip. He asks the gallery if it moved. A number of patrons guarantee him that it didn’t. He bumps a delicate chip down to 6 toes, and tidies up for par. In the meantime a three-putt par for his associate Collin Morikawa, and it’s been a gentle however unspectacular begin for the ultimate pair. In the meantime have we (OK, I) written off Bryson DeChambeau too quickly? He rakes in an extended birdie putt on 4 to return to -2.
Scottie Scheffler doesn’t appear on it in any respect throughout these early phases. He’s compelled to take his drugs out of the golf green bunker at 2 … then flies the inexperienced along with his third shot. He results in the patrons, and there’s not lots of inexperienced to play with coming again.
Bryson DeChambeau seems a damaged docket. He batters a drive down 3, however misjudges his chip up from the underside of the large financial institution, and the ball rolls again down the slope and subsequently the golf green. He holds the inexperienced along with his second try, however two putts later, that’s one other shot gone. A 5-5-5 begin, and his desires of including a inexperienced jacket to his 2020 US Open title should absolutely wait one other yr.
Homa had gone to high school on Ludvig Aberg’s chip seconds earlier from the identical spot. Aberg additionally landed his ball softly on the inexperienced, but it surely didn’t roll out. Homa chipped a bit additional and flatter and, effectively, there we’re. However irrespective of! As a result of Aberg calmly rolls his birdie putt in from 30 toes, having taken turns to go to high school on Homa’s chip, which could have given him the road. Homa then tidies up and he’s again in birdieland! His first in 34! May that launch a logjam on the supreme time? It’s a lift all proper. The pair stroll off in excessive spirits, having given one another a leg up, whether or not they realise it proper now or not.
-7: Scheffler (1)
-6: Homa (2), Morikawa (1)
-5: Aberg (2)
-3: Smith (4), Schauffele (3)
Max Homa has gone 33 holes with no birdie. He practically breaks that sequence by making an eagle from the again of two. A fragile chip from the again that solely simply lands on the inexperienced earlier than rolling out and shaving the left-hand lip. If he doesn’t make the two-footer coming again, he could by no means make a birdie once more. In the meantime up forward, it’s back-to-back birdies for Rory McIlroy at 8 and 9, and he rises to +2.
Hats off to Nicolai Hojgaard! A disastrous double-bogey begin, however he’s responded spectacularly, with back-to-back birdies at 2 and three. He returns to -2 in brief order. In the meantime on 2, Scottie Scheffler drives right into a fairway bunker down the proper; a barely unsure begin from the world primary.
Xander Schauffele can’t make his eagle putt on 2. But it surely’s a tap-in birdie and the Californian strikes to -3. Bryson DeChambeau can’t get shut sufficient along with his chip from the gallery, although, and two putts later it’s a disappointing 5-5 begin for the large man. Again on 1, Collin Morikawa doesn’t give his birdie putt sufficient, like Ludvig Aberg earlier than him, and is compelled to accept par. Scottie Scheffler is far happier along with his par, chipping as much as 4 toes after that poor strategy.
-7: Scheffler (1)
-6: Morikawa (1)
-5: Homa (1)
-4: Aberg (1)
-3: Smith (4), Schauffele (2)
-2: Fleetwood (4), Hojgaard (3), DeChambeau (2)
An uncharacteristically weak iron into the first from Scottie Scheffler. His ball barely reaches the inexperienced, then topples again off it. Not too far down the golf green, however he’ll face a testing up and all the way down to salvage his par. Collin Morikawa in the meantime finds the guts of the inexperienced. Of the 2 males, Morikawa’s the one trending in the proper route over the three days.
Ludvig Aberg units up a 15-foot birdie likelihood on 1, however fails to hit the putt. By no means getting there, however by no means thoughts, he faucets in for a straightforward par. He stays at -4. In the meantime on 2, Xander Schauffele sends a stunning strategy into the guts of the inexperienced. It takes the Louis Oosthuizen Freeway, the slope of the inexperienced taking the ball across the bunker guarding entrance proper and nearer to the flag … however there’s by no means a hazard of a repeat of Oosthuizen’s 2011 albatross, the ball stopping 15 toes quick. However he’ll have a terrific take a look at eagle. Bryson DeChambeau in the meantime flies the inexperienced on the opposite facet, his ball ending up in amongst some startled patrons.
The ultimate group of the 2024 Masters Match takes to the tee. The chief Scottie Scheffler sends his opening drive down the center. He’s aiming to grow to be solely the second participant to win the Masters twice in his first 5 begins (after Horton Smith, 1934 and 1936). He’s heading spherical right this moment with Collin Morikawa, who desires to hitch Gary Participant, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as a winner of the Masters, the PGA and the Open earlier than the age of 30. He whistles his tee shot off properly too. Everybody out! Right here we go!
Tiger – his own-brand crimson shirt completely saturated in sweat, having fought the nice battle this week – speaks to Sky Sports activities, and confirms he plans to play within the different three majors this yr. “Hopefully I used to be going to shoot one thing within the 60s right this moment … I believed I had that in my system … I hit a nasty tee shot at 5 and by no means received it again … the remainder of the majors is unquestionably doable … that’s about it … I mentioned final yr as soon as a month, hopefully my physique will co-operate.”
DeChambeau sends his second from the golf green bunker lengthy and proper. His chip up from the swale on the again is manner too heavy, and he’s up and out of the lengthy putt coming again with indecent velocity. A gap bogey and there goes all that momentum from his dramatic hole-out on 18 yesterday. He’s again to -2. In the meantime a birdie for Cameron Younger at 3.
Cameron Smith makes the primary massive transfer of the day! He finds the bunker guarding the entrance of the par-five 2 in a few massive hits … then gently splashes in and out for eagle! He springs as much as -3. Birdie there too for the 2009 US Open champion Lucas Glover, who strikes into crimson figures. In the meantime again on the first tee, the penultimate group units off. Each Max Homa and Ludvig Aberg cut up the golf green. Not lengthy earlier than everybody’s out!
-7: Scheffler
-6: Morikawa
-5: Homa
-4: Aberg
-3: Smith (2). DeChambeau
-2: Younger (3), Fleetwood (3), Schauffele (1)
It’s the worst attainable begin for Nicolai Hojgaard. He’s compelled to chip out from the bushes and doesn’t get significantly shut along with his wedge in. Three putts later, and that’s a double bogey. He’s degree par. It’s gone horribly improper for this week’s shortest-serving chief, who maybe made it to the highest with out actually being prepared. (No Liz Truss comparisons, please; he doesn’t deserve these, and in any case you sense younger Hojgaard will study from his errors and prosper.)
Issues are getting actual now. Right here comes Bryson DeChambeau, who seemed to have thrown away any sensible likelihood of profitable with that absurd double bogey on 15 final evening. However holing out from 77 yards for birdie on the final modifications the whole lot. He’s simply 4 again at -3, and hoping to grow to be the primary participant to win from that place since Charl Schwartzel in 2011. Sending one’s opening drive right into a fairway bunker isn’t the best begin, although. He’s going spherical right this moment with Xander Schauffele, who has notions of his personal, with three top-ten finishes right here already on his CV, together with a tie for second and tie for third. He begins at -2, and finds the golf green along with his opening shot.
Nicolai Hojgaard led the Masters for the briefest second yesterday afternoon. However after rolling in a monster birdie putt on 10 to maneuver to -7, the 23-year-old Danish debutant rapidly turned overwhelmed by his achievement, and proceeded to make 5 bogeys in a row. Whether or not he received any respectable sleep final evening consequently has not been reported, although the indicators aren’t good, as he’s simply snap-hooked his opening drive. As wild a tee shot as we’ve seen all week. Right here’s hoping he will get a giant break and regains his equilibrium toot candy.
Tommy Fleetwood sends his wedge into 1 earlier than giving it a contented twirl. His ball lands safely within the coronary heart of the inexperienced. Then he rakes in a 25-footer for a gap birdie. The right begin for the Evertonian, who will maybe profit from just a little further spring within the step within the wake of one among this afternoon’s soccer outcomes. He’s -2. Additionally heading in the proper manner: Matt Fitzpatrick with birdie at 3. He’s degree par.
Tom Kim shoots 66
The younger Korean couldn’t get dwelling unscathed. He went over the again of 17 and that’s by no means place to be, particularly with the pin tucked on the narrowest part of the placing floor. He failed to carry the inexperienced along with his chip again, although he did effectively to stand up and down from the entrance for bogey. Par on the final, and that’s a wonderful 66. He ends the week at +5, and for what it’s price, he’s the brand new clubhouse chief. That exact crown is presently well worth the sq. root of bugger all, after all, but it surely could possibly be price one thing in a while ought to someone additional up the chief board make a break from the pack, and the greens harden within the late-afternoon solar as heartbeats start to race.
Tommy Fleetwood is most likely too far off the tempo to win, six again at -1. Then once more, Nick Faldo got here from six again to slay Greg Norman in 1996, Gary Participant received the 1978 match from seven behind, and eventual 1956 winner Jack Burke Jr. was eight adrift going into Sunday however ended a shot away from Ken Venturi. So rule nothing out but. Fleetwood cracks his tee shot down the center of Tea Olive, and a quick begin is crucial if he’s to put up one thing that’ll rattle the main bunch.
At Tea Olive, the story of Rory McIlroy’s week in microcosm unfolds. An enormous booming drive down the center. An strategy that leaks left. A heavy handed chip. A bogey. His first transfer on each single day has been a backwards step, one thing that’s merely not sustainable at Augusta Nationwide. He’s since parred 2, 3 and 4 and is presently +4 total.
Neal Shipley wins Silver Cup
Tiger traipses up 18. That 23-hole marathon on Friday emptied the effectively, and the weekend hasn’t been so good, however the nice man feels the love from the patrons anyway. What an ovation! He practically repays them with just a little Tiger magic, this near chipping in from the entrance of the inexperienced. He’ll must make do with par and a last spherical of 77. He finishes +16 and presently sixtieth out of 60, however he’s grow to be the one man to make 24 consecutive cuts in Masters historical past, and he’ll be again subsequent yr, well being allowing. Neal Shipley in the meantime ends with bogey, however he’ll signal for a high quality 73 earlier than he takes receipt of the Silver Cup in a while. Oh, and he’ll have a number of tales to inform the grandkids, no matter the remainder of his profession brings.
Is there a rating on the market right this moment? Sure sir, sure there’s, and Tom Kim is setting about proving it. The 21-year-old Korean is making his second Masters look, having completed in a tie for sixteenth final yr on debut. He received’t end so excessive this yr – successive rounds of 78 and 77 have put paid to that – however he’s repairing the injury in sensational fashion right this moment. Degree par for his spherical by 6, he’s since birdied 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and now 16. He’s seven underneath thus far with a spherical he may promote to one of many main contenders for money cash. He’s +4 and never completed but. A inexperienced jacket in ready? You’d absolutely suppose so. Thoughts you, we mentioned the identical about Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Ernie Els, Tom Kite and Greg Norman, so that you by no means can inform.
As for Tiger … effectively, qualifying for the weekend ensured he’d survived the Masters lower for a twenty fourth consecutive time, a brand new document. However yesterday’s 82 was an terrible wrestle, and he’s not been going so effectively right this moment both. A bogey at 15 when his younger novice enjoying associate was making birdie; a triple-bogey on the fifth. And but there’s been just a little glimpse of the previous magic on 16. After he dumped his tee shot within the bunker on the entrance, he splashed out 20 toes previous the flag, utilizing the slope of the inexperienced to u-turn his ball and really practically tickle it again into the cup, which is at its conventional Sunday location on the backside of the sloping inexperienced. Such a disgrace it didn’t topple in, as a result of it was vaguely paying homage to …
… and guess who was sat on a greenside picnic chair watching on? None apart from Verne Lundquist, whose IN YOUR LIFE! commentary paired completely with one of many best moments in Masters historical past, and who’s hanging up his mic after this yr’s occasion. Tiger spots Verne as he walks off the inexperienced having tapped in for par and there’s a heat handshake. In your life have you ever seen something as candy as that?
A method or one other, there’s going to be lots of heightened emotion right this moment. So let’s begin with one of the romantic tales of the week. Neal Shipley, 23 years previous from Pittsburgh, is the one novice to have made it by to the weekend, thanks in no small half to a one-under first spherical of 71. That assured him the Silver Cup and title of low novice, but when his head hadn’t already been swimming, being paired with Tiger Woods on Masters Sunday would have accomplished the trick. And the way he’s carried out. He’s degree par for his spherical by 16, having simply birdied 15 and practically slam-dunked an ace on the next gap. What a high quality efficiency by final yr’s US Newbie runner-up. He’s +11 total.
Right here we go, then!
Preamble
Welcome, patrons! If the ultimate spherical of the 88th Masters match is even half as wild and great as Transferring Day …
… we’ll be in for a cracker. Will world No 1 Scottie Scheffler win his second inexperienced jacket? Will both Collin Morikawa or Bryson DeChambeau add to their major-championship resumé? Will Max Homa, Xander Schauffele or Tommy Fleetwood make their main breakthrough? Will Ludvig Aberg or Nicolai Hojgaard grow to be the primary participant since 1979 to win on debut? Will one thing else occur? We’ll discover out quickly sufficient! Right here’s the highest of the chief board after 54 holes …
-7: Scheffler
-6: Morikawa
-5: Homa
-4: Aberg
-3: DeChambeau
-2: Schauffele, Davis, Hojgaard
-1: An, Smith, Younger, Fleetwood
E: Cantlay, Glover, Schenk
+1: Kirk, Fitzpatrick, Reed, Pavon
+2: Straka
+3: McIlroy, Niemann, Zalatoris, Hatton, Willett
… and right here’s when everyone tees off right this moment. We’ll get going right here at 6pm BST. It’s on!