Tiger Woods' Disappointing Performance at the Masters as Scottie Scheffler Maintains Lead for Final Round
Tiger Woods faced a disappointing setback at the Masters with his worst-ever score, putting him out of contention on a challenging day. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler maintains a one-shot lead heading into the final round as he aims for his second green jacket victory.
Tiger Woods had a tough day at the Masters, scoring his worst-ever and dropping out of contention. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler leads by one shot going into the final round, aiming for his second green jacket.
Despite the absence of strong winds, Augusta's course remained difficult on Saturday. Among the leaders, only Collin Morikawa managed to score under 70 with a 69, placing him at six under for the tournament and in second place, one shot behind Scheffler.
Woods shot a 10-over par 82 during the round, following his lengthy 23-hole Friday to secure a record-breaking 24th consecutive cut at the Masters, a tournament he has won five times.
Despite his impressive feat, Woods admitted to feeling the physical toll of his leg injuries from a 2021 car accident. This was only his third competitive start since withdrawing from the Masters last year, and he mentioned to reporters that Friday's round had left him physically drained.
"I wasn't playing well with my hits or putts. I was hitting the ball in all the wrong places and missing a lot of easy putts," he shared.
However, the 15-time major champion mentioned that he would be prepared for the final round, even after his subpar performance at the tournament.
Scottie Scheffler has a one-stroke lead ahead of the final round.
Scottie Scheffler has a one-stroke lead ahead of the final round.
In the tournament's long history, there have been some final rounds that have become legendary. One of them was Woods' exciting win in 2019. Another memorable final round was when Charl Schwartzel made a bunch of birdies in 2011 after Rory McIlroy's stumble. And let's not forget Gary Player's amazing comeback in 1978.
And this edition seems poised to join the ranks of exciting tournaments, with a thrilling final day ahead. Five players are closely grouped at the top of the leaderboard, separated by just four shots. During the challenging third round, each of them showed moments of vulnerability.
Even the current world No. 1, Scheffler, is in the mix at seven-under par. He faced a setback with a double bogey on the 10th hole, followed by a bogey on the 11th. However, he managed to bounce back by scoring an eagle on the 13th hole to recover some ground.
Max Homa started the day tied for the lead but ended up in third place, trailing Scheffler by two shots. He didn't make any birdies and a bogey on the 12th hole led to a one-over par 73. Bryson DeChambeau, the other leader at the beginning of the day, shot a three-over 75, dropping to fifth place, four shots behind.
Scheffler told reporters that the conditions were extremely challenging once again. Homa described his round as frustrating at times but also satisfying, highlighting the skill needed to handle the tough conditions.
Collin Morikawa is seeking his first green jacket.
Collin Morikawa is seeking his first green jacket.
Warren Little/Getty Images
Meanwhile, Morikawa, a two-time major winner, had a good day, shooting a three-under 69 to climb into second place. Masters rookie Ludvig Åberg also played well, finishing two under and ending the day three shots behind Morikawa in fourth place. It's been over 40 years since a rookie like Fuzzy Zoeller won the competition in 1979.
The final round will begin at 9:15 a.m. ET on Sunday with the last pairing of Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa teeing off at 2:35 p.m. ET.
Editor's P/S:
Despite a challenging third round at the Masters, Scottie Scheffler remains the leader, setting the stage for an exciting final day. Scheffler's resilience in bouncing back from a double bogey on the 10th hole is a testament to his determination. The tight competition at the top of the leaderboard, with five players within four shots of each other, promises a thrilling conclusion.
Tiger Woods' struggles on Saturday highlight the physical challenges he faces in his return from injury. His 10-over par 82 was a disappointing result, but his determination to compete despite the pain is commendable. It will be intriguing to see if Woods can overcome his physical limitations and make a run for the title on Sunday.
