The Northernish leads the ranking to -12, with 2 affairs advantage over the American who has already beaten him at the US Open 2024
Is it really the year of Rory Mcilroy? Can the Northern really wear the green jacket and conquer the Masters, that is, the only major that he is missing to complete that Grand Slam of career that in history has only managed to 5 legends of the Golf such as Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods? In Augusta, after the third lap, Mcilroy is on his head with -12 (72, 66, 66), behind him there is the American Bryson Dechambeau (69, 68, 69: -10) and then the Canadian Corey Conners (68, 70, 70: -8).
the previous “cursed”
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The last (and unique) time Rory arrived on Sunday as a leader was in 2011, the year of great disappointment. He was at his third Masters and closed the first lap in 65 shots, the second in 69, the third 70. At the head in all three days, a triumphant march, he had four shots of advantage over Charles Schwartzel, but on Sunday he pulled 80 and closed fifteenth and the green jacket ended up on the shoulders of the South African. The drive at the 10th, which ended up in the woods on his left, was the ruin of that day and probably still keeps him awake when he thinks at that moment. Will he be able to erase the nightmare today?
Duel with Dechambeau
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On his way he finds Bryson Dechambeau who has already beaten him in the sprint at the US Open 2024: theirs is becoming a cinematographic duel. Excellent for the show, less for the heart of those who care about Rory’s victory, and even here in Augusta there are many. Impressive the enthusiasm of the American public for every blow of the Northernish. Yesterday, a blow behind Dechambeau left, there was a moment when Rory Mcilroy had four advantage. Then he dilated almost all his treasure and only one found himself. Here is the usual Rory capable of getting hurt like few others, many have thought of. Instead it ended with an impressive series of birdies And eagle who brought him back on their heads. Rory started very strong (Birdie at 1, Eagle at 2, birdie at 3), but then the putt was jammed with a series of errors from a few tens of centimeters who cost him two Bogey – at 8 and 10 – and a par at 9 when the birdie seemed guaranteed. Three shots left on the green that allowed all the others to return and not to be frightened more by looking at the various leaderboard scattered on the route, but it was at that moment that Rory unleashed the champion who is in itself: the masterpiece was the second blow to the 15 that allowed him to mark an Eagle that led him to -12 far from all the others.
Scheffler down
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But not from Dechambeau, the closest rival, just two shots. A tour of ups and downs, a little braked in important moments: he paid the amen corner with a Bogey at 12, but as a super player what he is, he too closed the last holes with the birdies at 15 and 16 and above all the one at the 18th with a kilometer putt that brought him to only two lengths from Rory. Everything is possible, prepare popcorn for the last day. The others seem out of the game. The reigning champion, again for a day, Scottie Scheffler made a third round in the narrow par (68, 71, 72: -5) which practically canceled his hopes of final victory. It is true that the maximum recovery in history is 8 disadvantage (Jack Burke in 1956) and that Danny Willett when he won in 2016 will recover 5 in the last 6, but between Scottie what would be the third green jacket of his career there are 8 players. Really unlikely that everyone collapses. With the same score also the leader of the first two days, Justin Rose, who closed with a +3 day (65, 71, 75: -5). A -6 Patrick Reed and Ludvig Aberg. For the two of them, a nice tour, but Mcilroy and Dechambeau are too far away.
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