On the 85th anniversary of Gene Sarazen’s “shot heard round the world”, a gang of young gunslingers fired shots all over the damp but still hallowed grounds of Augusta National.
The barrage of birdies, eagles, par saves, and pitches from the pine straw and azaleas had the typically well mannered crowd rocking.
And the Old Guard, of Phil and Tiger (who both shot themselves out of the tournament on Friday), was swept off the stage for good (at least for this week) as a cadre of fearless twenty somethings laid claim to elite status in our game.
Tommy Fleetwood, who looks more like a rock star than a country club patron, was out early setting the pace and letting those following know that the course was gettable. Two first side birdies were coupled with five second nine birds, with a lone bogey at #18. The young Brit strung five birds in a row from #12 through #16. His 66 puts him in tie 6th, 8 strokes back. A tough row to hoe but we’ve seen plenty of collapses in the past. 
Twenty three year old, and World #3, Jon Rahm, was the first of three players to post low round of the day 65. With a lightning start of birdies at #1 and #2, he added eagle on #8 for an opening nine 32. Three back side birds have him sitting at 8-under par, within six shots of the lead. A whole lot but we all remember ’96 and Faldo’s win over Norman.
Fan favorite Rickie Fowler jump started his round with an eagle 3 at the par five #2 and put in three more first side birdies to open with 31. Birdies on #15 and #17 put him in the clubhouse with the day’s second 65. Rickie has found his game but it might be a day too late. His Friday 72 left him seven back of the lead going out today. He’s narrowed that by two. He’ll need another scintillating start on Sunday to put pressure on the leaders.
Redemption has been a leading theme of the golf season and The MASTERS with Tiger’s bid to put his bad back and pain-killer addiction behind him, coupled with Phil’s wrestling match with Father Time. But the twenty eight year old McIlroy is also looking to redeem himself from his 2011 MASTERS collapse. Toss on the weight of history in achieving the rare accomplishment of the career grand slam and Rory has quite a load to carry. To his credit, Rory has faced his demon and knows the only way to slay it is with his sticks.
Rory made a great start in his march to golf immortality with today’s play. In addition to his prodigious drives and new-found silky putting stroke, Rory had a pocketful of lucky shamrocks on the course today. His thinned iron from the deep fairway bunker on five hit the lip but bounded up with tremendous top-spin onto the green where he saved par. His speedy pitch from the right side of #8 green hit the stick dead-on and dropped for eagle three. A little left or right and he’s hitting four from off the green. Most miraculous was finding his ball in the azalea forest back of #13 green. I doubt he’s ever had a better par save. Three back, with the third 65 of the day, he’s in the final group and will know well what he needs to do on Sunday.
Patrick Reed continued his astounding play with an a solid 5-under par 67. A slow start didn’t rattle the 27 year old Texan who has deep roots in the Augusta community stemming from his career at Augusta State where he led his small college team to consecutive NCAA championship titles. His first birdie didn’t come until #5, after he dropped a stroke at #3. Then he got on a another 3 birdie roll starting at #8. Reed made birdie on #9 from twenty feet below the hole, a putt that no other competitor was able to get to the hole. Two back side bogeys were negated by his two eagles on the par fives. Reed has feasted on the five par holes this week, scoring 13 under through three rounds. His 4-iron from a hanging lie, in the rain and wind on #13 was the shot of the day. At least until he hit that fairway metal from rough on #15 which landed short and right of the green side bunker. No sweat! And then he dunked his pitch shot for eagle!
Reed has scored 69-66-67 for 202 total after 54 Holes. In 81 previous MASTERS, no player has ever shot all four rounds in the 60’s, not Jack, not Arnie, not Player, not Tiger.
So, Mr. Reed has the weight of history on his shoulders, as well. It will take a round in the 60’s for Reed to beat Rory.
The final pairing is a dream match, a re-match of two powerhouse sluggers who duked it out at Hazeltine in the 2016 Ryder Cup. Reed and McIlroy are both ready for this Sunday, playing spectacular golf. They need to beware of focusing exclusively on each other while some chasers set an early pace.
I’m pulling for Rory, for the career grand slam, for a new player to chase down Jack. But Reed won’t back down, he’ll need to be beaten.
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