Written By: Radha Seth

 

Georgia: The unforeseen storm and light showers at the Augusta National Golf Couse, Georgia caused a 77-minute delay during the third round. The storms that hindered the game for a little more than an hour on Saturday were expected. Once the sky got cleared, Hideki Matsuyama got ready with his masterpiece shots and got cheered up by an uproar from the audience. 

 

Hideki Matsuyama on the palatial greens of Augusta National Golf Course

 

Matsuyama played the final eights holes in 6-under par, turning a two-shot deficit into a four-shot lead. With his four flawless swings and three perfect putts late on the back nine at the Augusta National, he climbed up to the 1st rung on the leaderboard to the cusp of becoming the first Japanese golfer to win a major.

 

Matsuyama’s 7-under 65 is his best score at the Masters and represents the only bogey-free round of the week.

 

"I wouldn't have believed it," Matsuyama said through his interpreter. "But I did play well today. And my game plan was carried out, and hopefully, tomorrow I can continue good form."

 

"During the rain delay, I just figured I can't hit anything worse than that," Matsuyama said. "And so maybe it relieved some pressure. I don't know. But I did hit it well coming in."

 

Round 3 Leaderboard: Masters 2021

 

How the other players have fared?

 

Xander Schauffele

 

 

The young casanova, Xander Schauffele tied 2 and enjoyed his best finish in three prior starts at the Masters in 2019 finishing T2 and one stroke behind Tiger Woods; has three runner-up finishes this season.

 

Justin Rose

 

 

Justin rose who clung to the 1st rung of the leaderboard in the initial 2 rounds of the Masters 2021 has lurked and stands at the 2nd position on the leaderboard. He carded a second consecutive even-par 72 and stays behind Matsuyama by four strokes.

 

Will Zalatoris

 

 

If Will Zakatoris manages to lift this year’s title at the Masters then he would become the first player to win in his debut Masters appearance since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. So far He birdied the final three holes for carding a score of 4-under 68. Let’s see who ends up taking up the 1st position at the Masters 2021.

 

Also Read:

 

Day 1: Justin Rose leads Masters as the fellow big names struggle

Day 2: Justin Rose clings to 1-shot lead at the Masters 2021

 

(Inputs from PGA Tour)