AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) The only real thunder was on the ground, not while flying, a series of ear-splitting roars for Meat Reed and his two eagles, Rory McIlroy and his final birdie, plus everyone else who tried desperately maintain with them in the Masters.
” The roars … it’ s hard not to know what’ s going on, ” McIlroy stated.
By the end of a moist and wild Saturday at Augusta National, Reed helped bring this particular Masters into focus.
Reed seized control with a set of eagles on the back nine, 2 big pars and a 5-under 67 that gave him a three-shot lead over McIlroy as he applies to his first major in the town where he led undermanned Augusta Condition to two NCAA titles.
His primary challenger will be McIlroy, in the final group on the Masters for the first time in seven yrs, this time with a shot at the profession Grand Slam.
This time around it’ s for a green coat, not a gold Ryder Cup trophy.
This is for themselves, not really for team.
Reed and McIlroy are indelibly associated with that Ryder Cup singles go with at Hazeltine some 18 months back when they traded big putts plus uppercuts until Reed prevailed over the 18th hole.
” It won’ t be very as intense as that Ryder Cup match, I don’ to think, ” McIlroy said, alluding to the partisan and at times impolite nature of cheers rarely available at Augusta National.
” I think we’ ll still be sensation it. It’ s the latest circular of a major championship. Patrick is certainly going for his first major. Plus I’ m going for … something different. ”
He paused and smiled upon hearing a number of chuckles.
That ” something else” is something fantastic. At stake for the McIlroy is the last leg of the career Grand Throw, achieved by only five other gamers, and completed only once before on the Masters by Gene Sarazen within 1935.
” It’ s going to be good fun, ” he said.
Reed ran off three straight birdies around the turn, and he stretched their lead to as many as five shots together with his eagles.
The first one was obviously a 15-foot putt on the 13th opening. The next one was far more vibrant. From just under 270 yards, with all the rain making the air feel large, Reed hit 3-wood just over water and short of the bunker. Their chip from 80 feet reprehended against the pin and dropped regarding eagle. Reed pumped his closed fist, the kind of emotion he typically will save for the Ryder Cup.
He was at 14-under 202.
McIlroy made up the five-shot deficit in eight openings when he chipped in for skull cap on the par-5 eighth. Reed is at the group behind him, and perhaps the particular cheers inspired him. He holed a 10-footer for birdie, the beginning of three in a row to restore control.
” When you hear a bunch of roars, you’ lso are going to get excited, especially if you feel as if you’ re playing some good golfing, ” Reed said. ” Seemed I was doing what I needed to perform. Of course , I heard the roar on 8, but then to birdie 8, to make the putt on nine, and then hit a good shot upon 10 and make birdie generally there … I just felt like from that point, the particular crowds were electrified.
” You had to ride the particular momentum and keep it going. ”
McIlroy can only wish he didn’ t use up most his luck. He figures that will chip-in at No . 8 has been going off the green except it struck the pin. He furthermore feared for the worst when their second shot on the par-5 thirteenth went into a sea of pink azaleas, and he wasn’ t sure this individual couldn’ t find the ball. He or she found it, and the bushes are usually thin enough he could chip from the mess and escape with k?rester.
” Just an excellent day, ” McIlroy said. ” To get myself into the final team, and have a chance to win another main … you couldn’ t request much more out of today. ”
The verbal gamesmanship might have started early.
” I feel like all the pressure can be on him, ” McIlroy mentioned. ” He’ s got to venture out and protect that, and he’ s got a few guys chasing after him that are pretty big-time gamers. He’ s got that to cope with and sleep on tonight. ”
Reed didn’ capital t flinch when told of McIlroy’ s views.
” I am leading, ” he stated. ” But at the same time, he’ ersus trying to go for the career Grand Throw. You can put it either way. Honestly, We woke up this morning, felt good. Didn’ t feel any stress. Just came out and tried to enjoy some golf. And I believe that’ s how it’ s likely to be tomorrow. ”
Both realize that even with their Ryder Cup connection, this is hardly go with play.
Rickie Fowler made eagle on the par-5 2nd and was 5 under by means of eight holes. He cooled till the end of his round, if a pair of birdies over the last two openings gave him a 65 plus left him five shots at the rear of.
Jon Rahm associated with Spain also chipped in for bald eagle on No . 8 and rescued par on the 13th after striking into the creek in his round associated with 65. He was at 8-under 208. Henrik Stenson (70) has been seven shots behind.
Tiger Woods had to significantly lower their goal this week. He shot seventy two, was 18 shots behind and today hopes to finish the tournament below par.
So many other people who started the third round with a possibility didn’ t do nearly sufficient to stay even remotely close to Reed. Justin Thomas (70), Jordan Spieth (71) and Dustin Johnson (71) all are at least nine shots at the rear of.
More than any stress with the Grand Slam at stake, McIlroy has a score to settle. He had a four-shot lead in the 2011 and photo 80 in the final round.
Now it’ s the particular missing piece of the slam. He admits that he learned from his errors – McIlroy won the first associated with his four majors at the Oughout. S. Open two months later – and loves the idea that he has absolutely nothing to lose being three shots at the rear of.
” I can’ t imagine there’ s likely to be much chat out there the next day, ” McIlroy said. ” Not really that I have anything against Meat. We’ ve actually got a significant good relationship. But at the end of the day, it’ s business and we’ lso are both trying to do something pretty specific.
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