Augusta Masters: Scheffler takes the lead, Woods collapses and Pavon resists before a final day of madness

The fight promises to be intense this Sunday for victory at the Augusta Masters, where around ten golfers can still claim to don the famous green jacket awarded to the winner.

On Saturday, the “moving day”, the name given to the third round where the fate of these major tournaments is often decided, did not create any notable differences at the top of the rankings. Scottie Scheffler, winner of the Masters in 2022, returned a card of 71 to finish the third round at -1 (-7 in total), one stroke ahead of his compatriot Collin Morikawa (-6). Max Homa (-5) completes the podium.

“Putting was important to me. I try to feed off the positive energy of seeing the ball go in. I got off to a really good start, stayed patient, made my eagle on the 13th and finished well,” Scheffler said. If he lost first place with a double bogey on the 10th hole, Scheffler, world No.1, regained it with his eagle and two birdies on the last four.

“It’s going to be difficult, but I’m looking forward to it,” said his pursuer Morikawa, winner of two Majors, who shot a 69.

Woods in pain

The Swede Ludvig Aberg (-4), author of a good performance for his first participation in a Major (-2 on the day), and the American Bryson DeChambeau (-3), in more difficulty (+ 3 in the third round ), are also in ambush before the fourth round this Sunday.

DeChambeau, winner of the US Open in 2020 and player on the LIV, a dissident PGA circuit financed by Saudi Arabia, still managed a superb birdie at the 18th hole, 70 m away. “It gives me a chance. If I can make a few putts tomorrow, I think I can have a good opportunity,” he said.

Tiger Woods, who is participating in his first Major since April 2023, achieved his worst score in a Major, returning a card of 82, ten shots over par.

After making the cut the day before for the 24th consecutive time, a record, the “Tiger” suffered, visibly having difficulty walking, he who at 48 is recovering from an operation on his right ankle undergone in April 2023 and still suffers from pain related to his serious car accident in February 2021.

Pavon can believe in a top 10

“I wasn’t hitting very well and my putting wasn’t very good,” analyzed Woods, who conceded two double bogeys and eight bogeys. I didn’t have a very good warm-up session and I continued that way all day. I missed a lot of putts. Easy, achievable putts. I missed a lot. »

Woods fell to 52nd place (+11), but received, at the end of his day, an ovation from the public, who came en masse to see the man with 15 Majors, whose legend goes beyond the world of golf.

As for the Frenchman Matthieu Pavon, he failed to confirm his promising start to the week, but he did not collapse, limiting the damage. “It was very hard, the greens have firmed up, they are much faster, there is no easy putt to manage,” he declared on Canal +. I was quite surprised, it was complicated, but we will fight tomorrow. »

For his first participation in the Masters, he started his third round in eighth place but fell to 16th place (+1 in total) at the end of the day, after conceding four bogeys and making two birdies during this third round. He can still hope to finish in the top 10 of the most prestigious tournament in the world.