AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) – The final round of the 90th Masters Tournament has commenced, featuring a competitive battle for the coveted green jacket.
Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young began the round tied for first place, with six other contenders within four shots following a thrilling Saturday performance.
Young Takes Lead After McIlroy’s Setback
Cameron Young seized the lead at the Masters after Rory McIlroy suffered a double-bogey on the fourth hole. Young now stands at 12 under par, leading by two strokes.
McIlroy Fights Back
Rory McIlroy is determined to reclaim his position, having birdied the par-5 third hole to reach 12 under par. Young faced pressure as he made a crucial 6-foot putt to save par, briefly losing his one-shot lead to McIlroy.
Both players enjoy a three-shot advantage over Scottie Scheffler, who has made birdies on two of his first six holes, moving to 9 under. Scheffler aims to become the first golfer since Danny Willett in 2016 to win the Masters from outside the final group.
Final Round Begins
With McIlroy and Young teeing off, all competitors are now on the course for the final round. McIlroy relinquished a six-shot lead during Saturday’s round, which he finished with a score of 73, allowing Young to tie him at 11 under after Young’s impressive round of 65.
Sam Burns sits one shot behind the leaders, while Scheffler and other notable players are poised to challenge from behind.
Scheffler’s Pursuit of a Third Green Jacket
Scottie Scheffler began the day at 7 under and made a strong start by birdieing the challenging par-4 first hole. Scheffler’s second-round score of 65 matched Young’s, putting him four shots back of the leaders.
This final round marks the first time Scheffler will attempt to come from behind at Augusta National to secure a victory. In previous years, he held leads entering the final round and won by significant margins.
Despite being ranked first in ball striking and tee-to-green performance, Scheffler struggles with putting, ranking near the bottom in that category. If he can improve in this area, he could pose a significant threat to the leaders.
Tee Times for Final Round
Rory McIlroy’s loss of a six-shot lead indicates that anyone within six strokes has a chance at winning the green jacket. The players at 5 under were scheduled to start shortly after 1 p.m. EDT, beginning with Ben Griffin and Jake Knapp.
Collin Morikawa and Patrick Reed, both at 5 and 6 under respectively, followed them at 1:30 p.m. Patrick Cantlay and Russell Henley, both at 6 under, are set to tee off at 1:41 p.m. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Haotong Li, both at 7 under, are paired together at 1:52 p.m.
Justin Rose and Jason Day, both at 8 under, are scheduled for 2:03 p.m. The penultimate group featuring Sam Burns and Shane Lowry will tee off at 2:14 p.m., while McIlroy and Young are set to hit their opening shots at 2:25 p.m. on the first hole.
Garcia’s Equipment Mishap
Sergio Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, will continue the final round without his driver after an incident on the second tee box where he broke it during an outburst. After hitting his tee shot into a bunker, Garcia struck a table, resulting in the head of his driver becoming detached.
Masters competitions committee chairman Geoff Yang met Garcia on the fourth tee to issue a warning regarding his conduct.
Weather Conditions for Final Round
The weather forecast for the final round at Augusta National remains consistent with the week, featuring hot, dry, and sunny conditions. While this is beneficial for spectators, it presents challenges for players navigating the course.
Course officials may opt for a more challenging setup, leading to hard, fast greens and difficult pin placements, as noted by meteorologist John Feerick.
Masters Gnome Popularity
The Masters gnome has gained popularity and value over the past decade, with this year’s edition becoming particularly sought after amid speculation that it may be the last produced.
Masters chairman Fred Ridley has not confirmed or denied these rumors. The gnome, which is 13.5 inches tall and depicts a traditional figure in golf attire, is priced at $59.50 at Augusta National, but resale prices have exceeded $600 on platforms like eBay due to limited availability.