His closest chaser, Collin Morikawa (-6), went a step further.
“I’ve never seen the course like this,” he said after his three-under 69.
“It was kind of leading up to that as the week started.
We got some rain Thursday, but right now is probably exactly where Augusta wants it.”
And, you know, they are just different.
One shot further back is Max Homa after a very patient but slightly frustrating 73.
“I came here with the gratitude and appreciation that I get to do it.
I’m happy I get to do it tomorrow.
I’m going to remind myself I’m a dog and I’m ready for this moment.”
In solo fourth is Ludvig Aberg (-4) after a two-under 70.
Aberg, the world No.
9, is playing in his first-ever major championship.
He became the first player ever to play in a Ryder Cup before his first major championship.
And now he’s got a chance to win this one.
We’re not trying to force anything.
We’re trying to take calculated risks all the time.
If I can make some putts tomorrow, I think I can have a good opportunity."
The stage is set for an epic Masters Sunday.
Tiger’s worst-ever round in a major
It started well enough.
That’s when the wheels came alllll the way off.
He was visibly hampered by…well, by all the things he could possibly be hampered by.
Whatever else is taking the brunt of all those surgeries.
“I was not hitting it very good or putting well.
I didn’t have a very good warmup session, and I kept it going all day today.
Just hit the ball in all the places that I know I shouldn’t hit it.
And I missed a lot of putts.
Easy, makable putts.
I missed a lot of them.”
“It will be a long night and a long warmup session, but we’ll be ready.”
And now he gets to play a Sunday at Augusta alongside Tiger Woods.
Tyrrell stays Tyrrell-ing
Virtually every golfer heaps praise on Augusta National.
It’s the ultimate test of championship golf, the best course in the world.
Tyrrell Hatton is a notable exception.
Two years ago, he unloaded on Dr. Alistair McKenzie’s masterpiece.
“I think its how the course is set up in general.
I think everything is exaggerated here.
“Yeah, it’s tough to take.
I don’t know how I have to play golf around here to shoot under par.
Like it’s now my 23rd tournament round.
