MASTERS 2011: Live day three at Augusta National

MASTERS 2011: Live day three at Augusta National

00.00: The midnight hour has struck in Blighty, and it's seven o'clock in the evening in Georgia. The major headline is that Rory McIlroy is well on the way to Masters glory at the Augusta National. The Ulsterman is currently playing the last, and is four shots clear.

23.57: A nice iron shot from McIlroy into the final green. Another chance for birdie at the end of another splendid day for the youngster.

23.55: Tiger Woods has a slice of luck on the final hole, as his chip through the back of the green strikes a camera and throws the ball into a much more reasonable position. His chip leaves him a eight footer for par, which he misses. Woods drops one, and ends on five-under. That's seven behind McIlroy. Choi meanwhile makes a birdie to complete a back nine of 34, and on eight-under he will still fancy his chances tomorrow.

23.50: Rory McIlroy moves four shots clear

This could be a key moment. McIlroy chips to the back of the 17th green, and judges his tricky 20 foot putt to perfection. He surges four shots clear, and he is becoming an even hotter favourite by the hole.

23.45: Tiger Woods finds himself under a tree following his tee shot at the 17th. His improvised second shot is very good under the circumstances, but finds a bunker at the front of the green. He splashes out though, and makes a par.

23.36: Rory McIlroy is three shots clear

Jason Day misses with a short putt for par at the 16th, and he slips back to eight-under. McIlroy makes no such mistake, and a par now puts him three clear.

23.32: Charl Schwartzel is in with a 68, and the South African is on eight-under going into the final day. He could yet be playing in the final group tomorrow. I wonder if we will be talking about a South African success 50 years after Gary Player's first Masters win.

23.30: McIlroy roles his eagle putt close to the hole, and makes no mistake for birdie. The 21-year-old moves into positive territory in terms of his round today, and he's now at eleven-under.

23.28: A par from Woods at the 16th, while Day chips from a bank next to the water and holes a fine birdie putt to move up to nine-under.

23.25: Super approach into the 15th green from McIlroy, and he has given himself an eagle chance.

23.23: One of the biggest cheers of the day is reserved for Fred Couples, the champion of 1992. He finishes with a level-par round of 72, and he's on five-under.

Fine round: Charl Schwartzel tips his hat to the crowd on the 18th

23.20: Luke Donald's 69 means he will go into the final round on seven-under. He said afterwards: 'I'm very happy, anything in the 60s is good. I'm in a great position for tomorrow.'

23.17: Disappointing from Woods, who is short with his first putt and he misses an effort for birdie from around six feet. Woods stays at six-under, and will feel he missed a chance there.

23.14: Westwood goes to the back of the green with his approach to the 18th, but a decent chip sets up a par. Westwood makes a 74, and is on three-under for the tournament. That's seven shots back as I write.

23.12: Nice approach from Woods at the 15th, giving him an eagle chance. The former World No 1 hasn't had a sparkling day, but he will surely be right up there come close of play.

23.07: Westwood drops another shot at the 17th, and at three-under he is almost falling out of the hunt here.

23.04: It's a pair of pars for messrs McIlroy and Day at the 14th. The Ulsterman had his nerve tested by a par putt that briefly lipped round the hole before dropping.

22.55: Rory McIlroy takes two-shot lead at Masters

 A two-shot swing at the 13th. Day chips from the back of the green, but the ball stays in the rough. The second effort sees the ball fly past the hole, and the end result is a bogey six. McIlroy meanwhile plays the percentages very well, and makes a birdie four. McIlroy is up to ten-under, while Day slips back to eight-under.

Reasons to be cheerful: KJ Choi reacts after saving par on the seventh green

 

22.50: Bubba Watson is carrying the pressure of my four pound bet very well, and a 67 today leaves him on five-under and still with every chance on the final day.

22.45: Phil Mickelson finished with a third round 71 and at three-under par his chance is an outside one. Here are a few words from the defending champion:

'It's been set up for aggressive play. It was there for the taking, I haven't been able to light the candle and get it going. I just need to get off to a good start tomorrow, and see if i can have a miraculous round.'

22.38: Tiger Woods is a little unlucky with his approach to the 13th. He's close to the hole at first, but the ball spins away and falls down the slope. He is left with a long one for eagle, and even though he can't sink that a birdie takes woods back to six-under. Choi also birdies the hole, and he is back to eight-under and within one shot of the lead.

22.31: Argentina's Angel Cabrera finishes with a par and is on eight-under. I wonder if his own happy sequence will continue. US Open Champion in 2007. Masters champion in 2009. And now in 2011? Time will tell.

22.21: Ian Poulter made a 71 today and is now on two-under for the tournament. Here are some words from the Englishman:

'It's difficult when you get there on the greens, I've left some shots out there. It’s a shame. I can go low tomorrow, but it's probably not going to be enough. Ive played very well but I haven’t converted my chances.'

Aussie Rules: Jason Day hits his tee shot on the fourth hole

22.19: A fine effort from McIlroy, but the putt just slips by and he stays on nine-under. KJ Choi dropped one at the 11th, and he has compounded that by three putting the 12th. He is back to seven-under now.

22.17: McIlroy is on Amen Corner, and his approach to the 11th green is a fine one and gives him an outside chance of birdie.

22.15: Let me update you on Lee Westwood. He dropped one at the 11th, but a birdie at the 13th has moved him back up to four-under. That's still only five off the lead, I'll have you know.

22.10: It has all got a lot tighter now, as McIlroy drops a shot at the tenth. he's back to nine-under. Meanwhile Tiger Woods has a nightmare at the 11th, missing a tiddler from no more than three feet and dropping a shot. He's back to five-under.

22.05: Tiger Woods plays from the trees on the 11th and he finds the green. He's still got some truly marvellous shots in him. Luke Donald dropped a shot on the 13th, but he has got it straight back at the 14th and at seven-under is just three off the lead.

22.00: It's ten o'clock. Bongs time. The Masters is heading towards another dramatic final day. This is the latest from the top of the leaderboard on this third round Saturday.

-10 Rory McIlroy  9     
-9 K.J. Choi10
-9 Jason Day 9
-8 Angel Cabrera 15   
-7 Adam Scott 18
-7 Charl Schwartzel 12

21.57: Another hole comes and goes for Tiger. He gets down in two putts and stays on six-under.

21.55: McIlroy makes a par on the ninth to stay ahead going to the back nine. Pretty solid stuff overall so far from the young Ulsterman.

21.50: Adam Scott finishes his third round with a bogey, and a back nine of 34 means a 70 for the Australian. He's on seven-under, and right in the hunt.

Looking good: Angel Cabrera is in the hunt to win a third Major title

21.47: Tiger Woods can't disguise his anger after is approach to the tenth green, To be fair it makes the green, but a mile from the hole.

21.37: Ross Fisher picks up a couple of welcome shots, with an eagle at the 13th helping him to four-under.

21.30: McIlroy keeps his nose in front with a par at the eighth, and Choi joins Day on nine-under with a birdie at the ninth.

21.25: KJ Choi has only gone and made a birdie at the long eighth, and is up to eight-under.

21.20: McIlroy makes a par at the seventh, but Day drops a shot and the Ulsterman is one shot clear on his own.

21.13: Westwood drops a shot on the ninth and is back to four-under. He needs to get himself going on the back nine.

21.05: McIlroy has a right old monster of a putt on the sixth green. He leaves it short, but holes a nervy one for par. And it's an important one, because Day drops a shot and we have joint leaders again. It really is too and fro right now.

21:02: Hideki Matsuyama finishes with a 68 and he's on three-under going into the final day. Super stuff from the amateur player.
 

20.58: Jason Day is new Masters leader

Superb swinging putt from Jason Day at the fifth. That's three shots he's picked up in five holes, and we have a new leader. McIlroy drops a shot, and Day leads the way on eleven-under.

20.56: Woods goes close again with a fine putt from off the back of the sixth green. He has to settle for par however. He's doing a lot of sighing right now, is Tiger.

20.53: Luke what he's gone and done. Luke Donald birdies both the eighth and ninth, and he's up to seven-under. Donald is right in contention as we stand.

20.51: McIlroy is in a bunker on the fifth that can only be described as enormous. I've played holes smaller than it.

20.49: This is going to be a little McIlroy and Woods dominated folks, but I've only got two hands. I will do my best to mention some other big hitters, and remember the leaderboard is but a click away.

20.47: Tiger Woods dropped another shot at the fourth, and narrowly misses with a birdie putt at the fifth. The ball just won't drop for the 14-time Major winner. He is on six-under going to the sixth.

So close: Tiger Woods reacts after missing a putt on the second green

20.45: Well played Rory McIlroy, who keeps his cool and rolls in a birdie putt at the fourth to move back into the lead.

20.42: A significant putt from Australia's Adam Scott, who makes an eagle on the 13th and moves to seven-under.

20.40: I should inform you that Ernie Els finished with a 76 and will begin his final round at five-over. I have just heard Colin Montgomerie say that he can't believe two men haven't won the Masters - Greg Norman and Els. He's certainly right about Norman, whose hard luck stories at Augusta are part of folklore. He's probably right about the Big Easy too, who has won plenty of big events but is so talented he could easily have won more.

20.37: Jason Day birdies the third, and moves into the joint lead. The Australian doesn't seem to be feeling much pressure out there.

20.32: I'm watching some sentimental images from yesteryear, with some syrupy music to boot. No complaints from me, I love that sort of thing. Faldo, Woosnam, Lyle, Nicklaus, Ballesteros. We could go on for ever, couldn't we? As much as every event produces fine drama, we'll always spend time during any Masters looking back to the past. That's the nature of the event.

Weighing one up: Rory McIlroy on the first fairway

20.28: Tiger Woods sinks a fine 12 footer for birdie at the third, while McIlroy misses with a birdie attempt at the second. Jason Day takes advantage, with a finely judged shot from the bunker and putt for birdie. The Australian goes up to nine-under, and is just one behind.

20.20: Lee Westwood disappointedly dropped a shot on the fifth, but he instantly makes amends with a birdie on the short sixth. He is still on five-under, five off the lead.

20.17: Luke Donald has parred five holes in succession, and he leaves the sixth green on five-under.

20.11: A chance for Tiger Woods to pick up that shot he lost, but his birdie putt on the second green lips out of the hole. Tiger stays on six-under.

20.07: Angel Cabrera, the winner of this great event two years ago, has picked up his second shot of the day with a birdie at the seventh and he's up to five-under.

20.04: Safety first for McIlroy, who makes a par at the first. A solid kind of round would do Rory fine today. Let others make the running.

20.02: Brandt Snedeker drops a shot at the sixth to move back to six-under.

20.00: The clock strikes eight here in Blighty, and it's three o'clock in the afternoon in Georgia. A full leaderboard is but a click away for you, but here is the summary of what is happening at the top:

-10 McIlroy
-8 Day
-7 Garcia, Choi, Woods, Snedeker
-6 Furyk, Schwartzel
-5 Scott, Fisher, Donald, Westwood, Fowler, Ogilvy, Quiros

19.55: There's a possible story developing here. Sergio Garcia has birdied the second, third and now the fifth. The Spaniard is now up to seven-under, just three off the lead. Meanwhile Woods makes a bit of a hash of the opening hole, and he drops a shot to slip back to six-under.

19.52: It isn't going to be easy out there today. I'm informed it's rather hot and around eighty degrees, and there is extreme humidity. The moisture will make it testing for these players.

19.50: Thanks for the updates, they're invaluable.
John, Muscat

It's our pleasure, John. Keep your eyes on the screen sir.

19.47: Tiger Woods is playing the first, and Rory McIlroy is teeing off in the final pairing with Jason Day. I think it's fair to say the fireworks are about to begin.

19.45: Thank you Joe. I'm rather too annoyed with myself to tell you where I've just eaten, but enough of that. On with a dramatic night of golf.

High hopes: Lee Westwood watches his tee shot on the second hole

19.41: After a frantic half an hour I'll now hand you back to the capable hands of Mr Metcalfe. Several movers and shakers in the chasing pack but Brandt Snedeker is definitely the man to watch... Over and out.

19.35: Westwood birdies the second to make amends for that error at the first. It was important he got that shot back quickly and the big man responded in emphatic style.

19.29: Bad start for Lee Westwood who bogeys the first. Rickie Fowler and Fred Couples also drop a shot on the opening hole meaning the trio drop back to tied 13th. Adam Scott has birdied the eighth to move to five under and Scotland's Martin Laird is back to two under after a birdie at 11.

19.27: Snedeker looks to be right on his game and he follows up his eagle at the second with a birdie at the third. He's just three shots off the lead now.

19.23: Jim Furyk moves to five under for the tournament and tied ninth with a birdie at the second.

19.19: Things are really starting to hot up now and before too long we'll have all the leaders out on the course. There's been plenty of movement in the chasing pack to keep things exciting but the best golf of the day so far has come from Japanese amateur Hideki Matsuyama. He has just emerged from Amen Corner four under.

19.13: An incredible eagle for Brandt Snedeker at the second moves him to six under and Garcia has joined him there thanks to a second successive birdie. Mr Metcalfe's dinner break appears to have sparked a spate of low scoring.

Good start: Luke Donald birdied the first

19.08: It's birdie galore out there as Sergio Garcia joins Donald on five under at the second and Ian Poulter moves to three under for the tournament at the eighth.

19.06: Fantastic start from Luke Donald who has birdied the first hole take him to five under for the tournament.

19.05: Ryo Ishikawa has been the man to watch so far today. The Japanese youngster - who will give all his winnings this year to his country's tsunami relief fund - is two under for the day and four under for the tournament.

19.00: I'm going to pop out for a quick walk and leave you for a short while in the company of one of the nice young guys of this business Joe Ridge. I'll be back later with more from 'Moving Day' (only the second mention so far).

18.55: Thank you for all your responses to the television debate yesterday. In short, the lack of coverage. In truth, I think there's a bit of both in the answer. You have to admit that there is something... well, different about this event. There is a certain mystique, for sure. However, I think the place is also a law unto itself and dare I suggest that Augusta still gets away with a lot because many journalists aren't brave enough to criticise. They're worried about their press passes for one thing. Perhaps I'd be the same if I was there. Something to think on there.

On a charge: Ryo Ishakawa is two under for the day after six holes

18.52: Hooray I'm seeing some flickering images from Amen Corner, and what appears to be a decent iron shot from Justin Rose. A quick glance at the scorecard suggests this is the 11th hole, with Rose currently on level-par.

18.48: We may have that charge on this third day that I mentioned was missing so far. Phil Mickelson, he of the previous three Masters victories, has picked up birdies at the second and third to move serenely to four-under. That's only six shots off the lead, which early on third round day really isn't that wide a margin.

18.38: Ian Poulter lets his golf do the talking, as opposed to his trousers, with birdies at the third and sixth to move up to two-under.

18.30: All this talk of Amen Corner reminds me that I used to live on Amen Corner in Tooting, south London. I never did make enough of that on reflection.

18.20: What news on amateur Hideki Matsuyama I hear you ask. Well, he's reached the turn in 34 after two birdies and seven pars. The Japanese youngster is now on one-under.

18.12: Robert Karlsson is now just seven shots off the lead after a birdie at the third. Still nobody has really made a charge on this third day though.

Big In Japan: Hideki Matsuyama

18.02: Here's our hole-by-hole guide to the course. I'm aware that for many people, the Masters really starts now and you might be wanting to refresh yourself on the glories of Augusta.

Hole-by-hole guide to the Augusta National

17.55: Some updates on those players out on the course. Scotland's Martin Laird has picked up a shot and moved to one-under, while Ian Poulter has gone bogey, par, birdie in this first three holes. Justin Rose is still on level par for the tournament after seven holes, while the first man out today Ernie Els picked up a shot on the eighth and is currently one-over after 12.

He's a dedicated follower of fashion: Ian Poulter in action on the second hole

17.45: Rory McIlroy doesn't go out until later, but I've been looking at his Twitter feed and am delighted to report that he has been watching both the Grand National and Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham. This news has been delivered with the rather amusing tag line #carlsbergdontdosaturdaymornings

17.35: Oh yes Bubba. Another birdie at the third hole takes him to two-under.

17.30: Justin Rose has had a decent start to his third round, picking up a birdie on the third and currently one-under for the tournament after playing four holes.

17.25: You may have missed Sportsmail's Alan Fraser, and his take on Friday's action at the Augusta National. If you did, don't worry. Here it is.

Alan Fraser's green zone: What will Phil do next?

17.15: I mentioned yesterday that Bubba Watson has the added pressure of me placing a bet on him to win this thing. Only a few farthings you understand, but still. I'm pleased to report that Bubba is out there, and back in positive territory after a birdie on the second.

17.05: Just that one rather messy blemish for Els on the fourth, otherwise it's par golf all the way. The former US Open champion is on the eighth at three-over.

16.55:  I could lie to you, and say it's all happening but regular readers will know that honesty isn't just the best policy in my world, it's the only policy. It's all a little bit early doors on this third day at the moment. A nice moment for Aaron Baddeley though, who makes a birdie on the third. That's the first of the day, no less.

16.47: Oops that isn't what the doctor ordered, Ernie. Els struggles on the fourth, and makes a double bogey.

16.42: I expect that like me you didn't win any money on the Grand National (again!). If you didn't hear, Ballabriggs won the great race. We have details of the race elsewhere on this very website, as you would expect.

16.35: It would be terribly remiss of me not to wish a very Happy Birthday to the great Seve Ballesteros. The Spaniard is 54 today. Seve won twice at Augusta of course, and provided golf fans everywhere with a treasure trove of memories that we are unlikely to forget.

The Big Easy: Ernie Els is out on his own on third round day

16.25: If you haven't managed to check on the tee times yet and want to plan your day and possibly evening, have a little look at this.

Third round tee times at Augusta

16.15: There is just one amateur in the field, and that's Japanese youngster Hideki Matsuyama. He jas just teed off alongside Korea's Kyung-Tae Kim.

16.05: Ernie Els has opened up solidly enough with a par.

15.55: Come on Rory! Gary, Manchester

That's the spirit Gary

5.45: Let us know your thoughts folks. What are your predictions as we head into the final two days?

15.35: Ernie Els begins this third day's action. The 'Big Easy' is out there on his own, having just beaten the cut.

15.30: There is so much to look forward to today. Can Rory McIlroy maintain his advantage? And what of the great man, Tiger Woods? If he has a good day today, we really will be thinking that he could end his Major 'drought' here.

15.20: I'm not going to say this more than half a dozen times I promise, but this is of course traditionally known as 'moving day'.

15.15: Good day, good day. It's only day three of the Masters. You're very welcome.

 

Can he maintain his advantage? Rory McIlroy hits his tee shot on the 16th hole