In a close fight with numerous rivals, the American Scottie Scheffler took over the sole leadership of the Augusta Masters in the third wheel, held this Saturday, in which Tiger Woods He signed his worst performance in this emblematic tournament. The number 1 in the world ranking shared the vanguard with his compatriots Bryson DeChambeau y Max Homa until the second day, but he managed to take off a shot at the top, in a very tight major until now in the leading positions, without great scores.
For his part, Woods collapsed at the Augusta National Golf Club, the scene of some of the greatest feats of his career: he handed out a card of 82 hits, 10 over parwhich made him descend to 52nd place. The public encouraged and applauded their great idol, but at the same time regretted seeing him so far away, while several golfers took turns at the top.
Scheffler prevailed and will begin the decisive day this Sunday as the lone leader, with an accumulated 209 hits, -7at a minimum or short distance from the Americans as well Collin Morikawa (-6) and Homa (-5). Swedish Ludvig Aberg (-4) and DeChambeau (-3) will also be in the battle for the champion’s green jacket, which this year will be accompanied by a record check of $3,600,000.
DeChambeau made some magic at the end of the day, with a dream birdie that got people excited, like never before during the 2024 tournament. On the par 4 of the last hole (465 yards), the Bomber lost his exit to the right and the ball was between the trees. From there he hit it well, and it was about 90 yards from the green. He then executed an approach that, with the reverse effect that the sphere took, ended up in the hole. And in an acclamation that made him celebrate from a distance.
Bryson DeChambeau’s great shot
Scheffler finished alone at the top thanks to a birdie on the 18th hole, much celebrated by fans. The 2022 champion aspires to emulate Tiger in his second conquest of Augusta as number 1 in the world ranking. He was in a good position to do so thanks to his course on Saturday, a day when the devilish wind that wreaked havoc on the first two days gave a respite and made it easy for numerous players to drop below par and several contenders to alternate at the top.
It wasn’t the wind, then, that caused Tiger Woods to collapse in a tournament he won five times. The Californian, who continues competing at 48 years of age despite his serious physical limitations, had managed to set a record on Friday by passing the qualifying cut for the 24th consecutive participation. But one day after the feat, His desire to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of six crowns turned into a nightmare. At the end of the tour with those 82 strokes and a cumulative 227, +11. Woods committed eight bogeys and two double bogeys successive ones that, together with two birdies, led to his worst result of the 99 rounds he faced in his history in the Masters. In addition, it was only the third time that Tiger used at least 80 shots in a round of a major.
“I wasn’t hitting very well or pocketing well,” Woods said. “I didn’t have a very good warm-up session and I continued like that all day. I just hit the ball in all the places I know I shouldn’t hit it”he added. After the day’s sporting ordeal, he received a huge ovation on the 18th hole, to the point that the fans stood up to recognize the golfer who marveled for years on that course. At Augusta Tiger won his first of 15 Grand Slam trophies, in 1997, and his last, in 2019, when he completed one of the greatest resurrections in American sport by overcoming multiple back surgeries.
One of Tiger Woods’ few hits on the day
Even in the midst of the Tiger debacle, the great disappointment of the Masters is that of the current champion, Jon Rahm. The Spaniard, who struggled to survive Friday’s cut, did not come back on Saturday and shot 72 shots (even), with a birdie and a bogey, and a total of 221 (+5), which left him in the place 28.
Rahm, who shook the golf world in December by leaving the PGA Tour for the Saudi LIV Golf circuit, has not lifted a cup since last year’s Masters, in the biggest drought of his professional career.
Scheffler’s long putt for eagle
Among the two South American representatives still in action, the Chilean Joaquin Niemann Stood 21ºcon 219 hits (+3), and the Colombian Camilo Villegas, 47ºcon 225 (+9).