Well, Tiger almost made it all the way through Amen Corner without dropping a shot, but he was finally done in by a two-foot putt on the 12th. If McIlroy can get up and down for birdie on 8, he could really take charge:
1. R. McIlroy (NIR): -11 (61 holes)
2. C. Schwartzel (RSA): -10 (62)
T3. T. Woods: -9 (66)
T3. L. Donald (ENG): -9 (64)
T3. A. Scott (AUS): -9 (63)
T3. K.J. Choi (KOR): -9 (62)
T3. A. Cabrera (ARG): -9 (61)
Cabrera birdies the 8th -- his second birdie in a row -- and he moves to 10 under par, only one shot off the lead.
ReplyDeleteMcIlroy could not get up and down for birdie, so he is forced to settle for a par that leaves him at 11 under par.
This seems to be an exceedingly crowded top of the leaderboard.
ReplyDeleteThis is just unbelievably close right now. There are seven players within two shots of the lead.
ReplyDeleteEric's point about Tiger's nerves and McIlroy's nerves was borne out by Tiger's missed putt on 12. McIlroy had a very similar putt on 8, and he holed it without difficulty.
ReplyDeleteTiger's shot on 13 rolls through the back of the green, and he will struggle to make birdie from there.
ReplyDeleteTiger's round, by the way, shows the brilliance of this course. You go out in 31 -- you're on a huge roll -- and then you hit the three hardest holes on the course. After playing those holes with great caution, you then have to be aggressive again at 13. Those type of mind games are just incredible.
ReplyDeleteChoi birdies the 9th to move to 10 under. He has played very well all week.
ReplyDeleteTiger has birdied the 13 for nine rounds in a row, but he will need a miracle to do so now. His chip is quite poor, and ends up about 30 feet from the hole.
ReplyDeleteTiger's birdie putt on 13 comes off just short, veering off to the left.
ReplyDeleteTo win this tournament, he probably needs to play the last five holes in at least three under par.
McIlroy pars the 9th to remain at 11 under.
ReplyDeleteCabrera had a great birdie chance at 9, but he misses the short putt and he stays at 10 under.
ReplyDeleteI think Cabrera looks like he's going to w ... well, he just missed a short putt for birdie. :) Heck, who knows? What a tournament!
ReplyDeleteNow the leaders are going into Amen Corner. I am going to predict that at least one contender will lose the Masters by hitting into the water on 12.
ReplyDeleteBRAVO, GO HEATH! Luke Donald is your man.
ReplyDeleteTold you so. Luke Donald, at 9 under par, puts his tee shot on 12 into the water.
ReplyDeleteThe Masters is awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis happens every year. Everyone should just do like Tiger and put your shot on 12 right into the middle of the green. It's amazing to me that they don't.
ReplyDeleteIt's impressive that Schwartzel has held it together.
ReplyDeleteChoi and Schwartzel par the dangerous 10th to remain at 10 under.
ReplyDeleteThis picture--of McIlroy sizing up a second shot from between these two cottages--could turn out to be the first indelible image of McIlroy's career.
ReplyDeleteMcIlroy's drive on 10 had landed in a part of the course that I have literally never seen before. Apparently, he hit a horrific hook shot that hit a tree, and is now up among a bunch of cabins. He looks like he playing in a suburban neighborhood. I have no idea what will happen now. This is the first time since Thursday that I'm not certain McIlroy will win.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Eric about Schwartzel.
ReplyDeleteAnother note: we will be starting a new thread at 5 PM.
That was painful for all of us, not just Tiger.
ReplyDeleteTiger's birdie putt on 14 looked good all the way, but missed by about an inch or two.
ReplyDeleteLuke Donald takes a double bogey on 12, and he is finished.
ReplyDeleteBut Adam Scott holes a birdie putt on 11, and he moves to 10 under.
Oh, my. McIlroy's in the crucible now, boy.
ReplyDeleteRight now, it feels like our winner is going to be Choi, Cabrera, Schwartzel or Scott. But who knows?
ReplyDeleteDan Jenkins
ReplyDelete"This is my 61st Masters, and I've never seen anyone hit it where Rory McIlroy just hit it on 10."