The professors appear to be heading towards a Sunday with out drama. Scotty Scheffler, the primary participant on the planet, appeared like he was about to flee the sector. However just a few stumbles on the finish might make Sunday at Augusta Nationwide extra attention-grabbing.
So we rounded up our specialists to gauge whether or not Scheffler could possibly be caught. Plus, after a tough third run, we try Tiger Woods and what to anticipate from one other outing, and limping, across the place on Sunday.
Table of Contents
Can anybody catch Scottie Scheffler?
Mark Schlabach: Principally not. He noticed his second shot on the 18th on Saturday, after having to take a drop for a lie he could not play. Schaeffler has by no means gained a serious match, however he’s fearless and performs higher than anybody else in the meanwhile. He was a bit shaky on the finish of the second 9 on Saturday, however nonetheless had a 3-stroke lead. I feel Schaeffler performs too nicely to dispel it. There might be numerous strain on him within the second 9 on Sunday. The Texans have been operating for almost two months by no means seen earlier than by few golfers, doubtless capturing their first main and inexperienced jacket win.
Michael Collins: no. So much has to go fallacious for him and issues should go proper in order that others can catch him. Not solely will it take Scotty to make errors, it would additionally take somebody who performs virtually completely. No one will.
Nick Petroszkiewicz: When he obtained out of inexperienced quantity 13, I’d have stated there is no such thing as a probability. When he was a ghost in 14th, I’d in all probability say no. However the ghost within the fifteenth and remaining fifteenth make this factor attention-grabbing. The coronation ceremony is now not on Sunday. Will he proceed to win? I nonetheless suppose so, however that wasn’t the sooner conclusion it appeared like when he pulled away from an amen nook on Saturday.
Tom Van Haren: Scheffler is the world’s fifth-ranked world primary and leads the 54-hole Masters Event. Greg Norman is the one participant in these stats who hasn’t gained, when Norman hit a lead with six pictures in 1996. Scheffler faltered a bit within the ninth defenses on Saturday, however would not appear to be he misplaced given how far forward. I performed all week.
In that case, who?
Schalbach: Once more, I might be stunned if anybody caught him, however I like Cameron Smith’s probabilities greater than anybody else. He fired 4-under 68 within the first and third rounds. The Australian hasn’t gained a serious match but, however he has held the lead within the Gamers Championship, which is as huge as some other (particularly on the subject of the pockets). They’d be within the final pairing collectively, and if Smith can put a few early birdies on his scorecard, he can a minimum of put some strain on Scheffler.
Collins: No one.
Petroszkiewicz: Smith was in a position to come again with three pictures and Sungjae Im within the again with 5 pictures. So they’re in a ball recreation. The one I nonetheless would not rule out is Shane Lowry. Seven pictures within the gap is lots, however unruly issues occur round these components when the leaders come house within the second 9. So yeah, Laurie nonetheless has an opportunity. However the best choice is Smith.
Van Haren: Smith has shot 68 twice this week, so it would not appear fully unattainable to make it a problem within the least. The quantity 74 he shot between these two rounds of 68 is the topic of concern, however given how exhausting the observe is to play, he is proper. Smith now has 9 profession rounds within the Nineteen Sixties at Augusta, breaking the tie for probably the most of any participant over the previous 5 Masters. So if there’s anybody Schaeffler would not wish to chase now, it is in all probability Smith.
Which gap does a Schaeffler should undergo to get a inexperienced jacket?
Schalbach: Is it the primary few holes? Scheffler topped No. 1 and three within the second spherical on Friday. If he stumbles early and Smith manages to place in some purple numbers, issues might become enjoyable. However Schaeffler is superb across the inexperienced and his paddle was sizzling, so I might be stunned if he did not end the deal.
Collins: Numbers 11 and 12. Get the Amen Nook two-thirds equal or higher, and so they can begin stitching a brand new inexperienced sweater.
Petroszkiewicz: It is 12. It is at all times 12. Search for dry land. If the primary goes to Ray Creek, there is no such thing as a assure that the subsequent – and the subsequent – is not going to observe.
Van Haren: I agree with Mark that he’ll in all probability undergo the primary few holes, however it would additionally doubtless rely upon how shut he’s to the again 9. He is performed 14 on 1 and 18 on 1 this week, so if he is near 14 or 18, perhaps it is in his head.
What do you count on from Tiger Woods’ newest spherical of this Masters Event?
Schalbach: Tiger did not present up nicely after the third spherical. He admitted that his again was tight within the chilly climate and appeared to have extra seen weak spot after enjoying 18 on Saturday. I do not suppose he’ll stop. I feel he has numerous pleasure and is simply too aggressive to complete the championship. I additionally suppose he’d be very excited to right the ship after a 6-over 78 on Saturday, his worst end in a career-round 93 Augusta Nationwide. He drove the ball very well and was excellent with the iron. It was simply that his state of affairs was horrible. I feel it will likely be higher on Sunday.
Collins: I count on Tiger to shoot round 75. I can not think about the exhaustion he is feeling. I say that as a result of you may’t create adrenaline. On daily basis he needed to cope with an accident for which he couldn’t put together. On Sunday it will likely be all about realizing how far-off he’s from the final word energy he might want to win once more.
Petroszkiewicz: Survival. Simply skip at the moment. The ache actually confirmed up throughout Saturday. So, with the climate anticipated to heat up, he ought to take pleasure in a stroll round Augusta Nationwide and benefit from the achievement and exhausting work that obtained him from the place he was 14 months in the past to the place he might be on Sunday afternoon.
Van Haren: I’ve to think about this entire week is catching as much as him if he hasn’t caught up already. I did not actually know what to anticipate, given the truth that he is 46, has had a number of accidents and surgical procedures, and that is Augusta with hills throughout it. I admit I used to be a bit optimistic after the primary spherical 71, however the outcomes have steadily gone up since then. I do know it is aggressive, however when the physique slows down, it slows down.
Which participant was the largest shock this week?
Schalbach: It should have been ex-champion Danny Willett or Charles Schwartzell, proper? Willett has missed out on the Masters in 4 of his previous 5 begins. He hasn’t completed twentieth on the Tour since ending 18th on the RBC Basic in March 2023. He is eighth after 54 holes. Schwarzel is ranked 172 on the planet and has missed the reduce seven instances within the 9 rounds beginning this season. He is tied for fourth, however in all probability will not make a lot of an affect on Sunday. Nonetheless, their efficiency this week was completely surprising.
Collins: Schwarzel. This man has missed his final six cuts in a row! There could also be numerous golfers who’ve used the time period “I’m shut.” But when Charles had been utilizing it, the response would have been, “To what? The automotive is on Friday?”
Petroszkiewicz: I hate to agree, totally on precept, however Schwarzel had no work within the remaining set on Saturday given the way in which he had performed within the months and weeks earlier than that. It hit it everywhere in the galaxy on Saturday, but it surely nonetheless places an inexpensive rating and stays within the combine — form of.
Van Haren: I agree with Schwarzel. didn’t count on that. I in all probability should not be stunned anymore, however I used to be additionally stunned by Cam Smith. He solely continued to look on the high of the leaderboards and didn’t falter.
Who was the largest disappointment?
Schalbach: Take your decide: Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele or Bryson DeChambeau. All of them missed the reduce. At the very least DeChambeau was injured. Spieth is maybe the largest concern as a result of his recreation appears old-fashioned once more. The twelfth gap at Augusta Nationwide nonetheless haunts him.
Collins: Kupka. For the unhurt man, he positive performed like an injured individual.
Petroszkiewicz: Rory McIlroy. Certain, he may come out and shoot 67 or higher on Sunday and are available out on his solution to the highest 5, however he is by no means been an element on this match. It appears to be taking place on a regular basis right here. Perhaps the place is in his head and he won’t ever depart. But it surely’s nonetheless wonderful that he retains coming right here and might’t run.
Van Haren: I do know DeChambeau did not play a lot, however he was overwhelmed by 63-year-old Larry Miz this week. Deshampoo will reduce some slack if he is nonetheless coping with his damage. I used to be additionally stunned by Koepka’s efficiency. I believed this is perhaps every week the place we see him break by once more in a serious. He had 4 high ten spots in 2023 on the high corporations, and now he is misplaced the reduce six instances this season.
