It’s usually not a good sign for a golfer’s chances of winning if he completes his round before the leader tees off.
Such is the state of things for golfers with ties to Georgia and Georgia Tech at this year’s Masters at Augusta National.
Most of the six Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets who survived Friday’s cut and played in Saturday’s third round were either through playing or deep into the second nine before Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy teed off at 2:50 p.m.
“It’s probably as difficult as the British Open last year, but a golf course that wasn’t, that you don’t want to play in that much wind,” Kevin Kisner said. “I’ve never been as ready to be done as I am right now, and I’m glad I can’t make any more bogeys.”
Bubba Watson: The two-time Masters champ and former Bulldog started the round 6 over. He posted three bogeys and no birdies on the first nine, once again failing to take advantage of the par 5s, a problem for him all week. He bogeyed 10 and 12 before birdieing the pars 5s at 13 and 15. He bogeyed the last hole to sign for a 4-over 76. He is 10 over for the tournament. Watson declined to speak with the media after his round.
Kevin Kisner: The former Bulldog started the round 5 over. Birdies on holes No. 3 and 6 were offset by consecutive bogeys on 7, 8 and 9. He added three more bogeys on the second nine to sign for a 4-over 76. He is 9 over for the tournament.
“Every shot is just guessing and hitting and praying,” Kisner said. “I never felt comfortable even on wedge shots all day, and putts are just brutal.
On what he learned: “You go home and have a beer and sit on the couch and laugh at everybody else.”
Patrick Reed: The former Bulldog started the round 5 over, and things didn't get much better than in the previous two days. He made the turn at 3 over, which included a double-bogey 6 at No. 7, and that's how he finished. He is 8 over for the tournament.
“I wish it was blowing even harder (tomorrow),” Reed said. “When you’re sitting as poorly down the leaderboard as I am, you want it to blow more.”
Larry Mize: The Masters champ and former Yellow Jacket started the round 5 over. He posted three consecutive birdies at the start before five bogeys in the next six holes stopped his momentum. He signed for a 6-over 78. He is 11 over for the tournament.
Matt Kuchar: The former Yellow Jacket started the round 4 over and was one of a handful who were able to at least shoot par in the third round. He had four bogeys and three birdies on the first nine, with two birdies and a bogey on the second nine. He finished with five consecutive pars to remain 4 over for the tournament.
“I certainly helped myself today by shooting even par,” Kuchar said. “And I know that I’ll be a ways back, but at least if there’s some sort of spectacular round I may have a chance tomorrow.”
Harris English: The former Bulldog started the round 3 over. A run of bogey, bogey, double bogey, bogey saw him finish the first nine 4 over, his highest nine-hole score this week. He played the second nine in par and is 7 over for the tournament.
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