2018 MASTERS / Reed and McIlroy set for final round showdown

Patrick Reed has extended his lead to three shots but now it’s Rory McIlroy trying to chase him down.

Reed’s round was again full of ups-and-downs and included three bogeys and two incredible eagles at the par-5 13th and 15th holes.

McIlroy’s round was almost as solid as you can get. Five birdies and an eagle saw McIlroy card the equal best round of the day.

A 7-under 65 has McIlroy in with a chance at redemption for his fail at the 2011 Masters and to also become the sixth man to win a career grand slam – winning all four majors.

Equaling McIlroy’s 7-under par round on Saturday was Rickie Fowler and Jon Rahm who will tee off in the penultimate group tomorrow morning, five and six strokes behind Reed respectively.

Watch @McIlroyRory‘s third round in under three minutes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/OS5BvWnx1p

— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 8, 2018

Unfortunately for Australian golf fans, Marc Leishman couldn’t quite get things going on the greens on Saturday.

Leishman’s 1-over par round included 17 pars and one bogey and finds himself eight shots behind Reed in a share of sixth place.

But it’s the final round pairing of McIlroy and Reed which has everybody talking.

You really need to watch this video to understand the history between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed.

At the 2016 Ryder Cup, McIlroy and Reed played out one of the most explosive matches in the history of the event. Both players went blow for blow, especially over the front nine.

Reed ended up winning the match and took USA to victory but the key moment came after McIlroy dropped a monster putt and had a reaction to match. Reed then countered with a birdie of his own and finger wagging resulted.

Perhaps for some context on who the crowds, or officials at Augusta National may be rooting for tomorrow it’s worth reading this piece from Ed Hardin over at North Carolina’s News and Record.

The galleries run hot and cold with him. You hear the whispers. Most everyone here knows his past, and no one around here is comfortable with it.

His college teammates accused him not only of cheating but stealing from them. Reed’s denied it, but his former acquaintances are on the record talking about his transgressions. And in a poll of PGA Tour players a couple years back, Bubba Watson was voted the last fellow pro they would help in a parking-lot fight. Reed was second. It was only his third year on Tour.