Three former Masters champions have put themselves in position to win again after 54 holes of 81st Masters at Augusta National Golf Club (excerpts of their post-round interviews):
Jordan Spieth, 2015 champion
Q: Golfers go decades here without giving themselves a chance to win a green jacket on Sunday. You’re now 4-for-4. Can you just take us through the emotions of waking up here in this town on a Sunday with a chance to win?
A: It doesn't help that the tee times go back to 3 o'clock. If we were able to kind of just wake up and get into a rhythm but you sit around for a little while. And it's fun. Actually, the fact that this tournament is covered the way it is, you can really do your homework early on and see some coverage, and I think it's useful. I don't necessarily want to watch anything that's being said. I mean, I've hardly been on my phone at all; that's what I've done the last few years. But watching the coverage in the morning is definitely useful.
But it’s exciting. I mean, that’s an easy way to say it. Waking up and you have a chance to win your favorite tournament that you’ve dreamt of winning and competing in since you were a kid, and to be able to have your fourth opportunity now I didn’t know going into my first one if I would have five chances in my life. So it’s awesome.
And at the same time, I’ve been on both sides of it now, and I like the winning side better. So I’m certainly going to go for broke tomorrow.
Adam Scott, 2013 champion
Q: Do you think you’re close enough?
A: Three? That's plenty close. I think I was two when I won. It's just the great players in front, and in conditions like this, if they're like this again tomorrow it's going to be hard, because you're going to have to make it happen. I'm just going to need the round of the year for me tomorrow.
Q: Yourself, Jordan Spieth, Charl Schwartzel have something in common, how much is that an advantage tomorrow?
A: Well, I firmly believe that the past champions here develop a level of comfort, whether it's guys who are currently trying to play and win … Fred Couples manages to smooth it around here every year, and play well at 57. Jordan Spieth is a huge threat to this tournament, certainly one guy I'll look at immediately tomorrow.
Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 champion
Q: You obviously know how to close on a Sunday here. Do you feel like you put yourself in contention to get yourself another green jacket tomorrow?
A: Well, yeah, for sure. This back nine at Augusta really just gives itself to really a lot of birdies and a lot of drama. …
If I keep swinging like I am, you never know, you get on a run and you can make a scare up on the board.
Q: What do you think you have to do tomorrow?
A: Probably what I did last time. Shoot 66 and finish with four birdies in a row, which would work.
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