2017 MASTERS: Rose, Garcia lead as Scott ready for tilt at another green jacket
A leaderboard full of perennial bridesmaids and past-champions sets up a mouth-watering final round of the Masters.
The stage is set for another classic final round at The Masters with a leaderboard befitting of a major golf tournament.
Sitting top of the Masters leaderboard are three names who have yet to get their hands on a green jacket, but followed closely by a number of golfers who already have that same garment in their wardrobes including Jordan Spieth, Charl Schwartzel and Australia’s Adam Scott.
Cracking leaderboard
Masters scores thru Rnd3:
-6 Rose,Garcia
-5 Fowler
-4 Spieth,Moore,Hoffman
-3 Scott
-2 Schwartzel
-1 Westwood,Pieters— AussieGolfer ⛳ (@AussieGolfer) April 9, 2017
Perennial bridesmaid Sergio Garcia has the best chance of securing that first elusive major title after another a 2-under par 70 has him at 6-under par and in a tie for the lead with Justin Rose.
Rose showed he can perform on the biggest and toughest tests in golf when the Englishman won the 2013 US Open and will come into the final round full of confidence after smashing his way into the lead with a stunning final seven holes.
Rose made five birdies in his final seven holes including two at the difficult 17th and 18th holes to fly up the leaderboard.
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 8, 2017
One shot behind the leaders is American Rickie Fowler who, like Garcia is looking for his first major victory after a string of ‘almosts’. In 2014, Fowler finished top-5 in every major including two second place finishes and would have wondered whether he is destined to ever win a major title. But the 28-year-old Fowler also sets himself up for his best chance in a major in several years.
Lurking within four shots of the leaders are three golfers who have previously won a green jacket. Courtesy of a 4-under 68, Jordan Spieth has positioned himself for a chance at redemption after a heart-wrenching collapse when victory looked assured in 2016.
Australia’s Adam Scott looks in great touch and remains in with a chance of donning a second green jacket. The 2013 Masters champion carded a blemish free 3-under 69 to get himself three shots behind the leaders.
South African Charl Schwartzel is a further shot back and will be paired with Scott in the final round at Augusta National.