Through three rounds of captivating action at this year's first major, unheralded Swede Peter Hanson sits atop the leaderboard after a dazzling 65 yesterday, good enough to put him at 9-under 207 for the tournament and hold a one shot lead over surging Phil Mickelson, who worked magic to shoot a back nine 30 yesterday to cap off a round of 66. Hanson hit precise shots all day and putted brilliantly all day on the slippery Augusta greens. Mickelson, on the other hand, played a steady front nine, but tore up the back side of Augusta, making birdie on 10, followed by another one at 12, and then an eagle that produced a thunderous roar from the crowd. He birdied the 15th hole after a great flop shot after being over the green in two, and then he capped off his day with a birdie on 18 for the third straight day after pulling over a 30 yard hook shot to get the ball on the green. His 66 put him in prime position for a fourth green jacket.
The leaderboard was in constant flux on Saturday, as leaders Jason Dufner and Fred Couples fell off the pace eventually due in large part to their balky putting. They both hit it all right from tee to green, but neither of them could master the tricky greens that they had navigated so well the first two days. Both men shot 75, and barring an incredible Sunday, will probably not be putting on a green jacket come tonight. Louis Oosthuizen, the former British Open champ, shot a 69 to put himself two back of Hanson. This sweet swinger can hang with the leaders today if he just plays steady and shoots a few under par. He will be paired with long hitting Bubba Watson, who at 6-under is right in contention for his first major and green jacket. He birdied the 18th hole yesterday to move up the leaderboard, and he appears to have the confidence to get the job done despite his past jitters in these big events. Matt Kuchar sits at 5-under while Westwood, Harrington, Stenson, and Mahan all lurk at 4-under. Any of these guys is capable of putting together a Sunday charge and capture the green jacket. The heat will be on all of them, but I think at least one of them will surge up the leaderboard on Sunday. They have the pedigree and experience to envoke some roars come this afternoon.
Looking at the final pairing, Hanson seems like a likeable guy to me. He gave a good interview after his round yesterday and doesn't seem to fazed by the enormous pressure on him. I have no doubt he will be feeling it today, but he seems pretty calm and focused on the mission. Phil Mickelson has been in this position many times before and is brimming with confidence. Both players need to get off to a steady start, and the fireworks will really begin on Augusta's rollercoaster of a ride that is the back nine.
Oosthuizen and Watson are capable of winning this thing, too. Both can get hot and string birdies together, so it wouldn't surprise me to see them at the top at the end of the day. I have not seen the pin placements yet, but I'm sure they will be in their traditional Sunday spots. These two men do not have the pressure of being in the final group, but they will certainly feel it on Sunday.
I haven't mentioned Tiger yet, but he is already playing as I write them. I picked him to win as I always do, but I am obviously disappointed as he started the day 12 shots back. He was playing great coming into this week, but he has been all over the place and his putting has not been very good either. His struggles on the par 5's has been brutal. He birdied zero par 5's in the last two rounds because he couldn't hole putts and his driver often left him out of position off the tee.
Sunday is sure to provide thrills like usual. Sit back and enjoy the ride, and have a safe and Happy Easter.
No comments:
Post a Comment