REIGNING OLYMPIC CHAMPION Justin Rose birdied five of the last seven holes to seize a share of the lead with Spain’s Sergio Garcia after Saturday’s third round of the Masters.
The 36-year-old Englishman, whose only major victory came at the 2013 US Open, fired a five-under par 67 to stand on six-under par 210 after 54 holes at Augusta National.
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Garcia has not won a title in 73 major starts but the 37-year-old could end the drought Sunday on what would have been the 60th birthday of his idol, the late Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros.
Despite going a combined 38-over par in 13 prior Masters third rounds to average 75, Garcia shook off the history and shot 70 to join European Ryder Cup teammate Rose in Sunday’s final pairing.
Eighth-ranked American Rickie Fowler was third on 211 after shooting 71 with countrymen Jordan Spieth, Ryan Moore and Charley Hoffman one stroke adrift.
Spieth shot 68 to leap into contention. The 2015 Masters champion was runner-up at Augusta in 2014 and last year.
Australia’s Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, was seventh on 213 with 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa eighth on 214 and England’s Lee Westwood and Masters debutante Thomas Pieters of Belgium on 215.
World number two Rory McIlroy was in a pack on level par 216.
Vamos! Rose and Garcia share Masters lead entering mouth-watering last round
REIGNING OLYMPIC CHAMPION Justin Rose birdied five of the last seven holes to seize a share of the lead with Spain’s Sergio Garcia after Saturday’s third round of the Masters.
The 36-year-old Englishman, whose only major victory came at the 2013 US Open, fired a five-under par 67 to stand on six-under par 210 after 54 holes at Augusta National.
Garcia has not won a title in 73 major starts but the 37-year-old could end the drought Sunday on what would have been the 60th birthday of his idol, the late Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros.
Despite going a combined 38-over par in 13 prior Masters third rounds to average 75, Garcia shook off the history and shot 70 to join European Ryder Cup teammate Rose in Sunday’s final pairing.
Eighth-ranked American Rickie Fowler was third on 211 after shooting 71 with countrymen Jordan Spieth, Ryan Moore and Charley Hoffman one stroke adrift.
Spieth shot 68 to leap into contention. The 2015 Masters champion was runner-up at Augusta in 2014 and last year.
Australia’s Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, was seventh on 213 with 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa eighth on 214 and England’s Lee Westwood and Masters debutante Thomas Pieters of Belgium on 215.
World number two Rory McIlroy was in a pack on level par 216.
© – AFP, 2017
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